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SUPREME CONSTITUTION 



SUPREME STATUTES 



Order of Knights of Pythias, 



AS ADOPTED BY THE 



SUPREME LODGE, 



At the Convention of 



PUBI.ISHBD BY OrDEJR OF THK SUPRKME I^ODGK. 



1894: 

BRANDON PRINTING COMPANY, 

NASHVIIvI.15, TKNN. 



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Entered according to Act of Congress, in the year 1894, by R. L. C. White, S. K. R. i 

(FOR THE Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias), in the office of 

THE Librarian op Congress, at Washington. 






SUPREME CONSTITUTION. 



In force on and after September i, 1894, 

p. p. XXXI. 



The Supreme Lodge Kniglits of Pythias, the source of all authority in 
the order of Knights of Pythias, doth ordain and establish this Supreme 
Constitution. 

ARTICLE I. 

THE SUPREME LAW. 

Section 1. The rituals of the order, the Supreme Constitution and the 
laws enacted by the Supreme Lodge in accordance therewith shall be the 
Supreme law of the order of Knights of Pythias. 

ARTICLE II. 

COMPOSITION OF THE ORDER. 

Section 1. The order of Knights of Pythias is and shall be a secret 
fraternal organization, composed of persons upon whom any rank of the 
order shall have been legally conferred. 

ARTICLE III. 

structure of the order. 

Section 1. The order shall be constituted as follows : 

Par. 1. A Supreme Government. 

Par. 2. Such Grand Lodges as possess charters or warrants legally 
granted, which have not been suspended or revoked. 

Par. 3. Such subordinate lodges as possess charters or warrants legally 
granted, which have not been suspended or revoked. 

Section 2. The branches of the order shall be the following, and no 
others, viz.: 

Par. 1. The insurance branch, to be known as the Endowment Rank. 
Par. 2. The military branch, to be known as the Uniform Rank. 

Section 3. No change shall be made in the structure of the order as 
above established, except by amendment of this constitution. 

(3) 



4 SUPREME 

ARTICLE IV, 

THE RANKS OF THE ORDER. 

Section 1. The ranks of the order shall be the following, and na 
others, \dz. : 

Par. 1. The ranks of knighthood, known as Page, Esquire and Knight, 
as established in the ritual of the order for subordinate lodges. 

Par. 2. The Endowment Rank, which shall be attained only in accord- 
ance with the laws enacted for its government. 

Par. 8. The Uniform Rank, which shall be attained only in accordance 
with the laws enacted for its government. 

Par. 4. The Grand Lodge Rank, which shall be attained only by a Past 
Chancellor in good standing, and in such manner as the Supreme Lodge 
may by law provide. 

Par. 5. The Supreme Lodge Rank, which shall be attained only by a 
Past Grand Chancellor in good standing, and in such manner as the 
Supreme Lodge may by law provide. 

ARTICLE V. 

THE HONORS OF THE ORDER. 

Section 1. The honors of the order shall be the following, and no 
others, viz. : 

Par. 1. Past Supreme Chancellor, which shall be attained, upon the 
installation of his successor, by every Supreme Chancellor who shall have 
served to the end of his official term. 

Par. 2. Past Supreme Representative, which shall be attained by every 
Past Grand Chancellor who shall have served as Supreme Representative 
during at least one convention of the Supreme Lodge. 

Par. 3. Past Grand Chancellor, which shall be attained, upon the 
installation of his successor, by every Grand Chancellor who shall have 
served to the end of his official term; and, at the institution of a new 
Grand Lodge, by the two members thereof who shall have been elected 
Supreme Representatives. 

Par. 4. Past Grand Representative, which shall be attained by every 
Past Chancellor who shall have served as Grand Representative during at 
least one convention of a Grand Lodge. 

Par. 5. Past Chancellor, which shall be attained, upon the installation 
of his successor, by every Chancellor Commander who shall have served 
to the end of his official term ; and, at the institution of a new subordinate 
lodge, by the four members thereof who shall have been chosen by the 
lodge to receive that honor. 



CONSTITUTION. 



ARTICLE VI. 

THE SUPREME GOVERNMENT. 



Section 1. The Supreme Government shall consist of three independ- 
ent, coordinate departments, viz. : a legislative department, an executive 
department and a judicial department. 

ARTICLE VII. 

THE LEGISLATIVE DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1. The legislative powers of the Supreme Government shall be 
vested in a Supreme Lodge, which shall be composed of : 

Par. 1. All Past Supreme Chancellors in good standing in their respect- 
ive Grand and subordinate lodges. 

Par. 2. Its officers, as designated in this constitution. 

Par. 3. The Supreme Representatives legally elected or appointed. 

Section 2. The ofl&cers of the Supreme Lodge shall be: 

A Supreme Chancellor, 

A Supreme Vice Chancellor, 

A Supreme Prelate, 

A Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, 

A Supreme Master of Exchequer, 

A Supreme Master at Arms, 

A Supreme Inner Guard, 

A Supreme Outer Guard, 

The President of the Board of Control, 

The Major General of the Uniform Rank, 
who shall be elected biennially, as provided by law, and shall hold office 
for the term of two official years, or until their successors are duly elected 
and installed. The Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Vice Chancellor 
shall be elected from the members of the Supreme Lodge, but to all other 
offices any Past Grand Chancellor who has received the Supreme Lodge 
Rank, and who is in good standing in his Grand and subordinate lodges, 
shall be eligible ; provided that, at the time of his election and during the 
term of his service, the President of the Board of Control shall be also a 
member in good standing of a section of the Endowment Rank ; provided, 
also, that, at the time of his election and during the term of his service, the 
Major General of the Uniform Rank shall be also a member in good stand- 
ing of a division of the Uniform Rank. 

Section 3. Supreme Representatives shall be elected by the Grand 
Lodges in the same manner as Grand Lodge officers are elected; provided 
that if, under this constitution, a vacancy occur or a Grand Lodge become 
entitled to increased representation, and no regular convention of such 
Grand Lodge is to be held prior to the next regular convention of the 
Supreme Lodge, then such vacancy may be filled or such increased repre- 



6 SUPREME 

sentation may be provided for by appointment, in such manner as the 
Grand Lodge may by law provide ; otherwise, such vacancy shall be filled 
or increased representation provided for by election, by the Grand Lodge^ 
in the same manner as Grand Lodge officers are elected. 

Section 4. The representation of each Grand Lodge shall be as follows : 
Two Supreme Eepresentatives at large, and one additional Supreme Rep- 
resentative for each full ten thousand members of the subordinate lodges 
within the domain of such Grand Lodge on the thirty-first day of Decem- 
ber immediately preceding the election or appointment of such Supreme 
Eepresentative ; provided that no Grand Lodge shall be entitled to more 
than five Supreme Eepresentatives. 

Section 5. The term of a Supreme Eepresentative shall be four calen- 
dar years from the first day of January in the even-numbered year follow- 
ing his election; provided that the term of any Supreme Eepresentative, 
other than a Supreme Eepresentative at large, who may be elected or 
appointed in an even-numbered year, shall expire on the thirty-first day of 
December of the next succeeding odd-numbered year; provided also that 
the Supreme Lodge may by statute so regulate such terms of service that 
the terms of one-half, as near as may be, of the Supreme Eepresentatives 
from any Grand Lodge shall expire on the thirty-first day of December of 
each odd-numbered year. 

Section 6. A Supreme Eepresentative must be a Past Grand Chancellor 
in good standing in his Grand Lodge and in a subordinate lodge within its 
domain, not the holder at any time during his term of any office in his Grand 
Lodge, and during all of such term an actual and bona fide resident of the 
domain of such Grand Lodge ; and should a Supreme Eepresentative become 
not in good standing in, or cease to be a member of, his Grand Lodge and 
of a subordinate lodge within its domain, or should he accept and hold any 
office in his Grand Lodge, or should he become other than an actual and 
bona fide resident of the domain of his Grand Lodge, th^n, or in either of 
such cases, his rights as a Supreme Eepresentative shall cease and deter- 
mine, and a vacancy shall be held to exist in such position. 

Section 7. All Past Grand Chancellors in good standing in their respect- 
ive Grand and subordinate lodges, who shall have received the Supreme 
Lodge rank, shall be admitted to the conventions of the Supreme Lodge, 
and shall be eligible to appointment as members of special committees 
thereof. 

Section 8. The regular conventions of the Supreme Lodge shall be held 
biennially, at such time and place as may have been designated at the pre- 
ceding regular convention; provided that, if the time and place were not so 
designated, a convention shall be held in the city of Washington, in the 
District of Columbia, on the fourth Tuesday of April in the succeeding 
even-numbered year; and provided also that, should any public calamity 
or imperative exigency so require, the Supreme Chancellor, by and with the 



CONSTITUTION. • 7 

consent of a majority of the oflScers of the Supreme Lodge, may designate 
a different time or place at which such convention shall be held. 

Section 9. A quorum of the Supreme Lodge for the transaction of busi- 
ness shall be not less than one Supreme Representative from each of a 
majority of the Grand Lodges; provided that Supreme Representatives 
from one-third of the Grand Lodges may receive and act upon certificates 
and credentials, and a less number may meet and adjourn from day to day. 

Section 10. The following powers are reserved to the Supreme Lodge, 
vix.: 

Par. 1. To pass upon and determine all questions relative to the qualifi- 
cations and election of its members. 

Par. 2. To enact laws for its own government and protection, and to 
prescribe rules of procedure for the conduct of its business. 

Par. 3. To prescribe the powers and duties of its committees. 

Par. 4. To prescribe the powers and duties of its officers, except a£ they 
may be fixed by its ritual and the Supreme Constitution. 

Par. 5. To provide by law a revenue for the Supreme Government. 

Par. 6. To make appropriations of money for the maintenance of the 
Supreme Government. 

Par. 7. To provide the installation and other non-ritualistic ceremonies 
of the order, and to regulate by law their preparation, promulgation and 
use. 

Par. 8. To define offences against the order and against the Supreme 
law, and to prescribe penalties therefor. 

Par. 9. To provide by law for the compilation, publication and enforce- 
ment of the decrees of the Supreme Tribunal. 

Par. 10. To grant charters to Grand Lodges, and to provide by law for 
the issue, revocation, suspension, restoration and reissue of such charters. 

Par. 11. To provide by law for the institution of Grand Lodges and of 
subordinate lodges. 

^Par. 12. To enact such laws as shall secure the conformity to the 
Supreme law of the constitutions and laws of all Grand and subordinate 
lodges. 

Par. 13. To require from Grand Lodges, and subordinate lodges not 
within the domain of a Grand Lodge, such reports as maybe prescribed by 
law. 

Par. 14, To require from any officer of a Grand Lodge such reports, 
credentials or certificates as may be prescribed by law. 

Par. 15. To establish subordinate lodges in territory not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge, and to enact laws for their government. 

Par. 16. To fix by law uniform conditions upon which the ranks of the 
order may be attained. 



8 • SUPREME 

Par. 17. To prescribe by law the rights, benefits, privileges and duties 
pertaining to all ranks and honors of the order, so far as the same are not 
determined by the rituals of the order. 

Par. 18. To prescribe by law the paraphernalia, emblems, jewels and 
insignia of the order, and in like manner to control and regulate their use. 

Par. 19. To control and regulate by law the use of the name of the 
order, or any name or term derived therefrom or germane thereto. 

Par. 20. To provide and furnish all certificates of membership, rank or 
honor, and receipts for dues, and to regulate their use, and to prescribe and 
furnish such other supplies as may be designated by law. 

Par. 21. To regulate by law the promulgation, obtainment and use of 
the passwords of the order. 

Par. 22. To prescribe by law what shall constitute good standing in the 
order. 

Par. 23. To define by law the status of members of the order under 
suspension for any cause, the control which may be exercised over such 
members, and the methods by which they may regain membership. 

Par. 24. To provide by law for the severance or transfer of lodge mem- 
bership. 

Par. 25. To enact laws for the promotion of the general welfare of the 
order. 

Par. 26. To enact laws which shall be necessary to carry into execution 
all powers vested in the Supreme Government by the Supreme Constitu- 
tion, or any amendment thereof. 

Section 11. The Supreme Lodge may by law provide for the impeach- 
ment and removal from office of the Supreme Chancellor or a Supreme 
Tribune, and for the trial and removal from office of any officer of the 
Supreme Lodge other than the Supreme Chancellor; it may define the 
ofiences for which such proceedings or either of them will lie; but judg- 
ment in such cases shall not extend bej'^ond removal from office and dis- 
qualification to hold office in the order thereafter. In all cases, removal 
from office or removal from and disqualification to hold office shall require 
the affirmative vote, by yeas and nays, of two-thirds of all the members of 
the tribunal which shall have been established for the trial thereof ; pro- 
vided that conviction shall not preclude or prevent the trial of the party 
for the same offence in any other tribunal of the order having jurisdiction. 

Section 12. All laws enacted by the Supreme Lodge shall be of general 
application, shall be formulated as statutes and shall be styled "supreme 
statutes," and, when introduced and while under consideration, shall be 
styled "propositions." 

Section 13. A proposition shall embrace not more than one subject, 
■which shall be clearly expressed in its title. 



COIsSTlTCTIOX. 9 

Section 14. A proposition which provides for the repeal or amendment 
•of a statute shall recite in its title the title of the statute to be repealed or 
amended. 

Section 15. No proposition shall become a statute until it shall have 
passed three successive readings, the second and third of which shall not 
be had on the same calendar day. 

Section 16. The affirmative vote, by yeas and nays, of a majority of all 
the members of the Supreme Lodge shall be required for the final passage 
of a proposition. 

Section 17. When a proposition shall have failed to pass, no proposition 
■embracing the same subject shall be considered at the same convention of 
the Supreme Lodge. 

Section .18. The enacting clause of every proposition shall be as follows : 
Be it enacted by the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, and shall precede or be 
-a part of the first section of such proposition. 

Section 19. All statutes shall take efl"ect sixty days after final passage, 
unless therein otherwise provided. 

Section 20. The resolving clause of every resolution shall be as follows: 
Be it resolved by the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, and shall precede or be 
a part of the first section of such resolution. 

Section 21. No moneys shall be drawn from the exchequer of the 
Supreme Lodge except as provided by law. 

Section 22. A statement of all receipts and expenditures of the Supreme 
Oovernment shall be reported by the proper officers to the Supreme Lodge 
■and included in the printed journal of each regular convention thereof. 

Section 23. A journal of the proceedings of the Supreme Lodge shall be 
kept, and shall be published daily, and such daily journal shall be prima 
facie evidence of all acts of the Supreme Lodge therein chronicled until the 
publication of the official record of the proceedings of the Supreme Lodge. 
Such daily journal and official record shall be published in such manner as 
the Supreme Lodge may by law provide. 

ARTICLE VIII. 

THE EXECUTIVE DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1. The executive powers of the Supreme Government shall be 
■vested in a Supreme Chancellor of the Order of Knights of Pythias, who 
shall be elected and shall hold his office as provided in this constitution. 

Section 2. The Supreme Chancellor, at the time of his election, shall be 
a member of the Supreme Lodge, and shall have attained the rank of knight 
.at least ten years prior to his election. 



10 SUPREME 

Section 3. The Supreme Chancellor shall be Commander in Chief of the 
Uniform Rank. 

Section 4. In case of the removal from office of the Supreme Chancellor, 
or of his death, resignation or inability to discharge the duties of said office, 
the same shall devolve on the Supreme Vice Chancellor. 

Section 5. In case of the death, resignation, removal from office or 
inability of both the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Vice Chancellor, 
the vacancies shall be filled as the Supreme Lodge may by law provide. 

Section 6. The Supreme Chancellor shall enforce the Supreme law and 
the decrees of the Supreme Tribunal. 

Section 7. The Supreme Chancellor may require information in writing 
from any member of the order as to any matter within the knowledge of 
such member, pertaining to the welfare of the order or the observance of 
the Supreme law. 

Section 8. Except when otherwise provided by law, the Supreme Chan- 
cellor shall fill by appointment any vacancy in an office of the Supreme 
Lodge which may occur during its recess. 

Section 9. The Supreme Chancellor may, as provided by law, appoint 
and commission Deputy Supreme Chancellors for such duties as he may 
delegate to them. 

Section 10. The Supreme Chancellor, at each regular convention of the 
Supreme Lodge, shall present to it a report of all his official acts during its 
recess. His report shall contain information in regard to the state of the 
order, and such recommendations as he may deem necessary and expedient. 

Section 11. The Supreme Chancellor may call special conventions of 
the Supreme Lodge in the manner provided by l?.w. 

Section 12. The Supreme Chancellor, during the recess of the Supreme 
Lodge, shall have authority to grant, in the manner provided by law, war- 
rants for the institution of Grand Lodges, and for the institution of subor- 
dinate lodges not within the domain of a Grand Lodge ; and warrants so 
granted shall be in force until suspended or revoked in the manner pro- 
vided by law, or superseded by charters duly granted. 

Section 13. The Supreme Chancellor shall have power to grant such 
dispensations as the Supreme Lodge may authorize by law. 

Section 14. The Supreme Chancellor shall require the execution and 
delivery to him of the bonds which may by law be required of officers of 
the Supreme Lodge, and he shall be the custodian of such bonds. 

Section 15. The Supreme Chancellor shall select, and promulgate in the 
manner provided by law, passwords for the order, and may change the same 
when in his judgment it may be advisable. 



CONSTITUTION. 11 

Section 16. The Supreme Chancellor shall perform such other duties as 
may be provided by Supreme law. 

Section 17. The Supreme Chancellor shall receive such compensation as 
the Supreme Lodge may provide by law, which compensation shall not be 
increased or diminished during his term of office. 

ARTICLE IX. 

THE JUDICIAL DEPARTMENT. 

Section 1. The judicial powers of the Supreme Government shall be 
vested in one Supreme Tribunal, and in the members thereof. 

Par. 1. The Supreme Tribunal shall consist of five Tribunes, of whom 
three shall be a quorum. Not more than one Tribune shall be chosen from 
the same Grand Domain. 

Par. 2. The Tribunes shall select, as provided by law, one of their 
number, who shall preside as Chief Tribune. 

Par. 8. Every decision of the Supreme Tribunal shall require a concur- 
rence of three Tribunes. 

Section 2. The Tribunes shall be nominated by the Supreme Chancel- 
lor, as the Supreme Lodge may by law provide, which nominations shall 
require for confirmation the affirmative vote of a majority of all the mem- 
bers of the Supreme Lodge. 

Par. 1. Each Tribune, at the date of his selection and during the term 
of his service, shall be a Past Grand Chancellor in good standing. 

Par. 2. A Tribune shall not hold the position of Supreme Eepresenta- 
tive, or any office in the Supreme Lodge, or in any Grand or subordinate 
lodge, during the term for which he shal] have been selected. 

Par. 3. The term of each Tribune shall be five years; provided that the 
terms of the five Tribunes first appointed shall expire, one on December 
31, 1895; one on December 31, 1896; one on December 31, 1897; one on 
December 31, 1898; and one on December 31, 1899. 

Par. 4. Each Tribune shall receive a compensation, to be fixed by the 
Supreme Lodge, which shall not be diminished during his term. 

Par. 5. Should a vacancy occur in the membership of the Supreme 
Tribunal, during the recess of the Supreme Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor 
shall fill the same by appointment, until the next convention of the Supreme 
Lodge. 

Par. 6. Except by consent of all the parties thereto, no Tribune shall 
preside on the trial of any cause in which his interest may prejudice his 
determination, or in which any of the parties shall be related to him by 
affinity or consanguinity within the sixth degree, or in the trial of which 
by an inferior tribunal he may have participated. 



12 SUPREME 

Par. 7. The Supreme Lodge may by law provide for the appointment of 
a special Tribune in any cause in which a regular Tribune shall be unable 
or shall fail to attend, or to hear any cause in which a regular Tribune may 
be incompetent. 

Section 3. The Supreme Tribunal shall have jurisdiction as follows: 

Par. 1. It shall have exclusive jurisdiction of controversies between 
Grand Lodges. 

Par. 2. It shall have original but not exclusive jurisdiction of contro- 
versies between subordinate lodges in different domains; between subordi- 
nate lodges either one of which is not within the domain of a Grand Lodge; 
between members of subordinate lodges in different domains; between 
members of subordinate lodges either one of which is not within the domain 
of a Grand Lodge ; and of controversies wherein non-conformity to, viola- 
tions of or the construction of the Supreme law are complained of or are in 
question. 

Par. 3. It shall have appellate jurisdiction both as to law and fact. 

Section 4. Cases may be carried to the Supreme Tribunal by appeal or 
writ of error, under such rules of procedure as the Supreme Lodge may by 
law provide. 

Section 5. The right of appeal to the Supreme Tribunal shall extend to 
all cases, with such exceptions and under such restrictions and regulations 
as the Supreme Lodge may by law prescribe. 

Section 6. The Supreme Tribunal shall hold regular and special sittings 
as may be provided by the Supreme Statutes. 

Section 7. The Supreme Tribunal may adopt and enforce rules of prac- 
tice and procedure for the ■conduct and dispatch of its business. 

Section 8. The Supreme Tribunal may appoint a Recorder, whose term 
of office shall be two years, and who shall receive such compensation as 
may be provided by law. 

ARTICLE X. 

GRAND LODGES. 

Section 1. A Grand Lodge shall not be instituted with less than ten 
subordinate lodges. 

Section 2. A Grand Lodge shall be composed only of Past Chancellors 
who have attained the Grand Lodge Rank. 

Section 3. The domain of a Grand Lodge, except as otherwise provided 
in its warrant or charter, shall be the state, district, territory or province in 
which the same is located. 

Section 4. Territory in which no Grand Lodge exists may be added 
temporarily to the domain of an adjacent Grand Lodge, when so ordered 
by the Supreme Lodge or the Supreme Chancellor. 



CONSTITUTION. 13 

Section 5. A Grand Lodge shall not be instituted within the domain of 
another, nor shall any Grand Lodge be created by the consolidation of two 
or more Grand Domains or parts thereof, except by the Supreme Lodge, 
upon the request or by the consent of the Grand Lodges involved. 

Section 6. A Grand Lodge shall exercise within its domain all power 
and authority not reserved to the Supreme Government by the Supreme 
Constitution. 

Section 7. A Grand Lodge shall not engage in the business of life or 
accident insurance, or any other business not in consonance with the pur- 
poses for which it was created, nor shall an officer or officers of a Grand 
Lodge, as such, engage in such business. 

Section 8. A Grand Lodge shall prescribe the powers and duties of its 
officers, except as they may be fixed by the Supreme law. 

Section 9. The ritualistic officers of a Grand Lodge shall be as prescribed 
in the Grand Lodge ritual. The constitutional officers of a Grand Lodge 
shall be as may be provided in its constitution. 

Section 10. The term of a ritualistic officer of a Grand Lodge shall be 
one official year. 

Section 11. Each Grand Lodge shall have a constitution for its own 
government, and shall provide such legislation as shall secure conformity 
to the Supreme law and to the decisions of the Supreme Tribunal from the 
subordinate lodges and members of the order within its domain; but a 
Grand Lodge shall not enact or enforce any law which shall abridge the 
rights or privileges secured to a member of the order by the Supreme law. 

Section 12. A Grand Lodge may create, by constitutional provision, 
three independent coordinate departments, viz. : A legislative department, 
to be known as the Grand Lodge, in which shall be vested all legislative 
powers ; an executive department, to be known as the Grand Chancellor, 
in whom shall be vested all executive powers; and a judicial department, 
to be known as the Grand Tribunal, in which shall be vested all judicial 
powers. 

Section 13. Each Grand Lodge shall provide by law for the holding of 
one regular convention, and no more, in each calendar year. 

Section 14. Each Grand Lodge shall display its warrant or charter at the 
station of the Grand Chancellor at some time during every convention. 

Section 15. Each Grand Lodge may provide by law that the subordinate 
lodges within its domain shall or shall not pay weekly benefits, or that the 
question of the payment of such benefits maybe determined by each subord- 
inate lodge for itself. 

Section 16. The warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge may be suspended 
by the Supreme Chancellor or the Supreme Lodge, as may be provided 
by law. 



14 SUPREME 

Section 17. The suspension of a warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge 
may be terminated by the Supreme Chancellor or the Supreme Lodge, as 
may be provided by law. 

Section 18. The warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge may be revoked 
only by the Supreme Lodge, as may be provided by law. 

Section 19. The constitutions and laws of Grand and subordinate lodges, 
which may be in force at the date of the adoption of this constitution, are 
hereby declared to be operative so far as they do not conflict with the 
Supreme law as established by this constitution. 

ARTICLE XL 
subordinate lodges. 

Section 1. A subordinate lodge shall be instituted only as may be pro- 
vided by Supreme law, and shall exist only by virtue of a warrant or charter 
issued in accordance therewith ; it shall consist of not less than ten mem- 
bers, seven of whom shall constitute a quorum ; it shall have and exercise 
subordinate Pythian authority and control over such territory as may be 
prescribed by law, subject to the laws established by the Supreme Govern- 
ment and by its Grand Lodge. Two or more subordinate lodges may be 
given concurrent territorial jurisdiction when located in the same city or 
town or other contiguous territory. 

Section 2. The ritualistic officers of a subordinate lodge shall be as des- 
ignated in the subordinate lodge ritual. They shall be nominated, elected 
and installed, and vacancies in office shall be filled, as provided by Supreme 
law. The official terms of such officers shall continue for twelve months 
from January 1st in each year, or until their successors are elected and 
installed ; provided that, in domains in which Grand Lodges so enact, such 
terms shall continue for six months from January 1st and July 1st in each 
year. 

Section 3. A subordinate lodge may elect or appoint such trustees or 
other non-ritualistie officers as may be authorized by its Grand Lodge, 

Section 4. Each subordinate lodge shall display its warrant or charter 
in the lodge room whenever in session. 

Section 5. No meeting for the transaction of business or work shall be 
held, and no excursion or entertainment shall be had, by a subordinate 
lodge on the first day of the week, commonly called Sunday. 

Section 6. The ranks of knighthood shall be attained and conferred only 
in accordance with the requirements of the Supreme law. The conditions 
of eligibility to such ranks shall be uniform, and shall be fixed by the 
Supreme Statutes; provided always, that no person shall be initiated into 
the order unless he be a white male, of good moral character, twenty-one 
years of age and a believer in a Supreme Being; and provided further, that 



CONSTITUTION. 15 

the fees for the ranks of knighthood shall not be less than ten dollars in 
the currency of the United States of America or its equivalent in the cur- 
rency of the country in which the lodge is located. 

Section 7. Membership in a subordinate lodge may be attained only as 
provided by the Supreme law. Every person claiming the rights, benefits 
-and pri^dleges of the order must be a member of a subordinate lodge. 

Section 8. Each subordinate lodge shall provide for and pay, upon the 
death of a member thereof in good standing, a funeral benefit of not less 
than twenty dollars. 

Section 9. The warrant or charter of a subortlinate lodge shall not be 
arrested, suspended, revoked or restored, except in the manner prescribed 
by Supreme law. 

ARTICLE XII. 

THE INSURANCE BRANCH. 

Section 1. The purpose of the insurance branch shall be to provide 
indemnity for the beneficiaries of deceased members of the order. 

Section 2. The insurance branch of the order shall be governed by such 
laws as the Supreme Lodge may enact or authorize; provided that the 
attainment of membership in such insurance branch shall be restricted to 
members of the order who have attained the rank of Knight and are in 
good standing in a subordinate lodge, but shall not be compulsory upon 
any member of the order. 

ARTICLE XIII. 
the military branch. 

Section 1. The purpose of the military branch shall be to promote a 
military spirit among its members. 

Section 2. The military branch of the order shall be governed by such 
rituals and laws as the Supreme Lodge may enact or authorize ; provided 
that membership in such military branch shall be restricted to members of 
the order who have attained the rank of Knight and are in good standing 
in a subordinate lodge, but shall not be compulsory upon any member of 
the order. 

ARTICLE XIV. 



Section 1. The rituals of the order shall be the existing written or 
printed secret ceremonies, obligations and secret work heretofore estab- 
lished for the Supreme Lodge, for Grand Lodges, for subordinate lodges 
.and for the military branch of the order. 

Section 2. Any amendment of the rituals of the order may be proposed 
in secret session at a regular convention of the Supreme Lodge, and shall 
be considered, and may be adopted in accordance with the Supreme Stat- 



16 SUPREME 

utes; provided that such amendment shall require for its adoption the 
affirmative vote, by yeas and nays, of four-fifths of all the members of the 
Supreme Lodge ; such vote to be taken at the succeeding regular convention 
thereof, and then only after a full exemplification, in the presence of the 
Supreme Lodge, of the change proposed by such amendment. 

Section 3. The rituals of the order, as to the matters therein contained, 
shall be the paramount law of the order; but no change or amendment of 
such rituals shall be obnoxious to or in conflict with the Supreme Consti- 
tution or any amendment thereof, nor shall any amendment of the Supreme 
Constitution be obnoxious to or in conflict with the paramount law as con- 
tained in the rituals. 

Section 4. The promulgation, issue, custody and use of the rituals of 
the order shall be as provided by the Supreme Statutes. 

ARTICLE XV. 

GENERAL PROVISIONS. 

Section 1. All constitutions, legislation and decisions of the Supreme 
Lodge and rulings of the Supreme Chancellor, in force prior to the adop- 
tion of this constitution, are hereby repealed and annulled, except as in 
this article otherwise specifically provided. 

Section 2. The ranks of Past Supreme Chancellor, Past Supreme Rep- 
resentative, Past Grand Chancellor, Past Grand Representative and Past 
Chancellor, heretofore acquired, shall be known hereafter as the honors of 
Past Supreme Chancellor, Past Supreme Representative, Past Grand Chan- 
cellor, Past Grand Representative and Past Chancellor. 

Section 3. So much of this constitution as relates to the election of the 
officers of the Supreme Lodge and to their terms of office shall take eflfect 
upon the installation of the officers elected at the convention of the year 
eighteen hundred and ninety-four; provided that the term of the present 
incumbent of the office of Major General of the Uniform Rank shall expire 
upon the installation of his successor at the regular convention of the 
Supreme Lodge in the year eighteen hundred and ninety-six. 

Section 4. So much of this constitution as prescribes the basis of repre- 
sentation of Grand Lodges in the Supreme Lodge shall take eflfect upon the 
adjournment of the convention of the Supreme Lodge in the year eighteen 
hundred and ninety-four. 

Section 5. So much of this constitution as confers upon the Supreme 
Tribunal the judicial functions and powers heretofore exercised by the 
Supreme Lodge and by the Supreme Chancellor shall take efl'ect upon the 
adjournment of the regular convention of the Supreme Lodge in tlie year 
eighteen hundred and ninety-four. 

Section 6. The laws heretofore enacted for the government of the- 
Endowment Rank, and in force at the date of the adoption of, and so far as 



CONSTITUTION. 17 

they do not conflict with, this constitution, shall continue in force as the 
laws for the government of the insurance branch until superseded by stat- 
utes duly enacted. 

Section 7. The laws heretofore enacted for the government of the Uni- 
form Rank, and the rulings of the Supreme Chancellor relative thereto, in 
force at the date of the adoption of, and so far as they do not conflict with, 
this constitution, shall continue in force as the laws for the government of 
the military branch until superseded by statutes duly enacted. 

Section 8. The laws of any Grand or subordinate lodge which conflict 
with or contravene this constitution are hereby annulled ; and an attempt 
to enforce such laws is declared to be an act of contumacy, punishable as 
the Supreme Lodge may by law provide. 

ARTICLE XVI. 

AMENDMENTS. 

Section 1. Any amendment of this constitution may be proposed in the 
Supreme Lodge at a regular convention thereof, in such manner as the 
Supreme Lodge may by law provide; and if such proposed amendment 
shall be agreed to by a majority of all the members of the Supreme Lodge, 
it shall be entered on, the journal with the yeas and nays thereon, and the 
further consideration thereof deferred until the next regular convention of 
the Supreme Lodge. Such amendment shall be published at once and for- 
warded to each Grand Chancellor, who shall cause the same to be reported 
to the next convention of his Grand Lodge; and if, at the next regular con- 
vention of the Supreme Lodge, such proposed amendment, in form and 
language as agreed to at the preceding regular convention, shall be adopted 
by the affirmative vote of a majority of all the Grand Lodges, then such 
amendment shall become a part of this constitution; provided that such 
vote shall be taken by yeas and nays, and that each Grand Lodge shall be- 
entitled to one vote, of which each Supreme Representative thereof shall 
be entitled to cast his proj^ortionate part. 

ARTICLE XYIL ^ 

FOKCE AND EFFECT. 

Section 1. This constitution shall take effect and become of force upon 
its adoption by the Supreme Lodge. 



18 INDEX TO 



INDEX TO SUPREME CONSTITUTION. 



[Roman numerals (i, ii, etc.) indicate chapters; ordinary figures (1, 2, etc.), sections; 
italic figures (i, a, etc.), paragraphs.] 



Benefits, funeral — 

Subordinate lodge must pay xi, 8 

Benefits, weekly — 

Power of Grand Lodge to control x, 15 

Bonds of Supreme Lodge officers — 

Power of Supreme Chancellor as to viii, 14 

Branches of the order — 

What are hi, 2 

Compen sation — 

Of Supreme Chancellor viii, 17 

Of Supreme Tribune ix, 2, 4 

Of Recorder of Supreme Tribunal ix, 8 

Conetitution, Supreme — 

Part of the Supreme law i, 1 

Takes effect, when xv, 3, 4, 5 ; xvii, 1 

Amendment of xvi, 1 

Constitutions, former — 

Repealed and annulled xv, 1 

Daily journal — 

Prima facie evidence vii, 23 

Decisions, former — 

Repealed and annulled xv, 1 

Departments of the Supreme Government — 

Legislative vii 

Executive viii 

Judicial ix 

Deputy Supreme Chancellors — 

May be appointed by Supreme Chancellor viii, 9 

Dispensations — 

Supreme Chancellor has authority to grant viii, 13 

Endowment Rank — 

Is a branch of the order iii, 2 

Purpose xii, 1 

Eligibility for membership in • xii, 2 

Membership in, not compulsory xii, 2 

Laws of, continued in force x v, 6 

Executive department — 

Composition and powers viii 

Expenditures from Supreme Lodg^ exchequer — 

Restrictions vii, 21 

Statement of vii, 22 



SUPREME CONSTITUTION. 19 

Grand Lodge — 

Minimum number of subordinate lodges x, 1 

Composition x, 2 

Domain x, 3 

Temporary addition to domain x, 4 

Restrictions as to institution and consolidation x, 5 

Power and authority x, 6 

Shall not engage in life insurance, etc x, 7 

Officers X, 8, 9, 10 

Constitution and laws x, 11, 19 

May create three departments x, 12 

Atmual convention x, 13 

Must display warrant or charter x, 14 

Power of legislation as to benefits x, 15 

Suspension or revocation of warrant or charter x, 16, 17, 18 

Laws in conflict with Supreme Constitution annulled xv, 8 

Government, Supreme — 

Three departments of vi, 1 

Honors of the order — 

What are v, 1 ; xv, 2 

Impeachment — 

Of Supreme Chancellor vii, 11 

Of other Supreme Lodge officer vii, 11 

Of Supreme Tribune vii, 11 

Insurance, life or accident — 

Grand Lodge or officer must not engage in x, 7 

Journal, daily — 

Prima facie evidence vii, 23 

Judicial department — 

Composition and powers ix 

Knights of Pythias, Order of — 

Composition ii, 1 

Structure iii, 1 , 3 

Branches iii, 2 

Ranks i v, 1 

Honors v, 1 

Law, Supreme — 

What constitutes i, 1 

Legislation, former — 

Repealed and annulled xv, 1 

Xegislative department — 

Composition and powers vii 

Major General of the Uniform Rank — 

Eligibility vii 1, 3 

Expiration of term of present incumbent xv, 3 

Membership — 

Eligibility for xi, 6, 7 

Offices, Supreme Lodge — 

Vacancies in viii, 4, 5, 8 

■Official record of proceedings — 

To be pubhshed vii, 23 

Passwords — 

Selection, promulgation and alteration viii, 15 



20 INDEX TO 

Past Chancellor — 

Honor of v. 1, 5; xv, 2 

Member of Grand Lodge x, 2 

Past Grand Chancellor — 

Honor of v, 1, 3; xv, 2 

Entitled to seat in Supreme Lodge vii, 7 

May be appointed on special committee vii, 7 

Past Grand Representative — 

Honor of v, 1, 4; xv, 2 

Past Supreme Chancellor — 

Honor of v, 1, 1; xv, 2 

Membership in Supreme Lodge vii, 1, 1 

Past Supreme Representative — 

Honor of v, 1, 2; xv, 2 

Powers, reserved — 

Of the Supreme Lodge vii, 10 

President of Board of Control — 

Eligibility vii, 1 , S 

Quorum — 

Of the Supreme Lodge vii, 9 

Of a subordinate lodge xi, 1 

Ranks of knigthhood — 

Eligibility for xi, 6 

Ranks of the order — 

What are iv, 1 

Record of proceedings of Supreme Lodge, official — 

To be published vii, 2.^ 

Resolutions — 

Style of resolving clause vii, 20 

Rituals of the order — 

Part of the Supreme law i, 1 

What constitute xiv, 1 

Amendment of xiv, 2 

Are paramount law xiv, vJ 

Promulgation, issue, custody and use xiv, 4 

Rulings of Supreme Chancellor, former — 

Repealed and annulled xv, 1 

Statutes, Supreme — 

Must be of general application vii, 12 

Styled "propositions" while under consideration vii, 12 

Must not embrace more than one subject vii, 13 

Repeal or amendment of vii, 1 4 

Must pass three readings vii, 15 

Majority vote required for final passage vii, 16 

Not to be again considered, when . . .' vii, 17 

Enacting clause vii, 18 

Take eff"ect, when vii, 19 

Subordinate lodges — 

Grand lodge not to be instituted with less than ten x, 1 

Laws of, continued in force x, 19> 

Institution, minimum membership, quorum, powers xi, 1 



SUPREME CONSTITUTION. 21 

Subordinate lodges (continued) — 

Concurrent jurisdiction xi, 1 

Officers — nomination, election, installation, terms xi, 2 

Trustees, etc xi, 3 

Must display warrant or charter xi, 4 

Restrictions as to Sunday xi, 5 

Membership xi, 6, 7 

Funeral benefits compulsory xi, 8 

Suspension or revocation of warrant or charter xi, 9 

Laws in conflict with Supreme Constitution annulled xv, 8 

Sunday — 

Restrictions as to xi, 5 

Supreme Chancellor — 

Eligibility vii, 1, 3; viii, 2 

Impeachment of vii, 11 

May change time or place of Supreme Lodge convention vii, 8 

Is the executive officer of the Supreme Government viii, 1 

Commander in chief of the Uniform Rank viii, 3 

Vacancy in office of viii, 4 

Must enforce Supreme law • viii, 6 

May require information from any member viii, 7 

May fill vacancies in offices viii, 8 

May appoint Deputy Supreme Chancellors viii, 9 

Must present report to Supreme Lodge viii, 10 

May call special conventions of Supreme Lodge vih, 11 

May grant warrants and dispensations viii, 12, 13 

Custodian of bonds viii, 14 

Shall select and promulgate passwords viii, 15 

Compensation of viii, 17 

Former rulings repealed and annulled x v, 1 

Supreme Lodge — 

Constitutes the legislative department vii, 1 

Officers vii, 2 ; xv, 3 

Conventions vii, 8 ; viii, 11 

Quorum vii, 9 

Powers vii, 10 

Daily journal and official record vii, 23 

Supreme Representatives — 

Members of Supreme Lodge vii, 1, 3 

Election or appointment vii, 3 

Number for each Grand Lodge vii, 4 ; x v, 4 

Terms vii, 5 

Eligibility and restrictions vii, 6 

Supreme Vice Chancellor — 

Eligibility vii, 1 , 8 

Assumes duties of Supreme Chancellor, when viii, 4 

Vacancy in office of viii, 6 

Tribunal, Supreme — 

Judicial department of Supreme Government ix, 1 ; xv, 5 

Composition and quorum ix, 1 , 1 

Decisions, validity of ix, 1, 3 

Vacancy in membership i x, 2, 5 

Jurisdiction ix, 3 

To hear appeals and writs of error ix, 4 

Right of appeal to ix, 5 

Sittings of ix, 6 



22 INDEX TO SUPREME CONSTITUTION. 

Tribunal, Supreme (continued) — 

Power to enforce rules ix, 7 

Recorder of ix, 8 

Supreme Chancellor shall enforce decrees of viii, 6 

Tribune, Supreme — 

Restrictions as to appointment ix, 1,1; 2, 1, 2 

Chief Tribune ix, 1, 2 

Nomination and confirmation ix, 2 

Term ix, 2, 3 

Compensation ix, 2, 4 

Forbidden to preside, when ix, 2, 6 

Appointment of special Tribune ix, 2, 7 

Uniform Rank — 

Is a branch of the order iii, 2 

Supreme Chancellor commander in chief viii, 3 

Purpose xiii, 1 

Eligibility for membership in xiii, 2 

Membership in, not compulsory xiii, 2 

Laws of, continued in force : xv, 7 

Warrants for Grand Lodges and subordinate lodges — 

May be granted by Supreme Chancellor viii, 12 

[Note.— In many instances, the same subject is necessarily treated by both the 

Supreme Constitution and the Supreme Statutes. It is better, in all cases, to consult not 
only this index, but also that appended to the Supreme Statutes.— S. K. R. S.] 



SUPREME STATUTES. 



In force on and after September 8, 1894) 

p. p. XXXI. 



ENACTING CLAUSE. 

Be it enacted by the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, That the following 
Code of Statutes, from Title I to Title XI, inclusive, shall constitute and be 
known as the Supreme Statutes of the order of Knights of Pythias, and 
shall be designated and cited by the words "Supreme Statutes," adding the 
number of title, chapter and section, when necessary; and as such are 
hereby adopted and shall become the law of the order, to take effect from 
and after the adoption of this enacting clause, except such parts thereof as 
to which, a different provision is made therein. 

All laws of a general nature in force when the Supreme Statutes take 
effect, which are repugnant thereto, are hereby repealed, except as follows: 

The adoption of the Supreme Statutes, and the repeal of existing laws 
therein provided for, shall not affect any offence or act committed or done, 
or any penalty or forfeiture incurred, or any right established, accrued or 
accruing, before the Supreme Statutes take effect ; but when a penalty or 
forfeiture is mitigated by the Supreme Statutes, such provisions may be 
extended and applied to any conviction or judgment pronounced after said 
repeal; nor shall such repeal affect any prosecution or charges pending at 
the time it takes effect, for an offence committed under any of the provi- 
sions of a law repealed, except that the proceedings therein shall conform, 
as nearly as practicable, to the provisions of the Supreme Statutes. 

When a period of time, prescribed in any law repealed, for acquiring a 
right or barring a remedy, or for any other purpose, has begun to run, and 
the same or a similar limitation is prescribed in the Supreme Statutes, the 
time of limitation shall continue to run, and shall have the like effect as if 
the whole period had begun and ended under the operation of the Supreme 
Statutes. 

The provisions of the Supreme Statutes, so far as they are the same as 
existed prior to the adoption of the Supreme Statutes, shall be construed as 
a continuation of such laws, and not as new enactments. 

An oflScial copy of the Supreme Statutes shall be deposited and kept in 
the office of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, which record shall 
be an authentic record of such laws. 

(23) 



24 SUPREME [Title I, 

TITLE I. 

THE SUPREME LODGE. 

I. Committees — their composition and duties. 
II. Council of Supreme officers. 

III. Special conventions of the Supreme Lodge. 

IV. Revenue. 

V. Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal — duties. 
VI. Supreme Master of Exchequer — duties. 
VII. Supreme Vice Chancellor — duties. 

VIII. Succession in office of Supreme Chancellor and Supreme Vice Chancellor. 
IX. Impeachment of Supreme Chancellor or Supreme Tribune. 
X. Removal of Supreme officers other than Supreme Chancellor. 
XI. Compensation of officers, Representatives and Tribunes. 
XII. Dispensations granted by the Supreme Chancellor. 
Xill. Deputy Supreme Chancellors — powers and duties. 
XIV. Seals, Supreme, Grand and subordinate. 
XV. Paraphernalia — its procurement and use. 
XVI. Jewels of the order— their sale and use. 

XVII. Rules governing the general printing of the Supreme Lodge. 
XVIII. Funds — their disposal. 
XIX. Election' and installation of Supreme officers. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE COMMITTEES OP THE SUPREME LODGE, AND TO PRESCRIBK 
THEIR COMPOSITION AND DUTIES. 

1. The Supreme Chancellor, as soon as practicable after his installation, 
shall appoint from the members of the Supreme Lodge the following 
standing committees, whose terms of service shall continue until the close 
of the next succeeding biennial convention : 

1. A Committee on Judiciary, consisting of seven members. 

2. A Committee on Ways and Means, consisting of seven members. 

3. A Committee on Grievances, consisting of five members. 

4. A Committee on Finance, consisting of five members. 

5. A Committee on Credentials, consisting of five members. 

6. A Committee on Reports, consisting of five members. 

7. A Committee on Mileage and Per Diem, consisting of five members. 

8. A Committee on the State of the Order, consisting of seven members. 

9. A Committee on Written Work, consisting of seven members. 

10. A Committee on Unwritten Work, consisting of seven members. 

11. A Committee on Printing, consisting of five members. 

12. A Committee on Warrants and Charters, consisting of five members. 

13. A Committee on Rules, consisting of five members. 

14. A Committee on Review, consisting of five members. 

15. A Committee on Endowment Rank, consisting of five members. 

16. A Committee on Uniform Rank, consisting of seven members. 

2, The Committee on Judiciary shall consider and report upon all pro- 
posed amendments of the constitution or statutes which may be referred 



Chap. I.] STATUTES. 25 

to it, and such portions of the reports of officers of the Supreme Lodge as 
may be referred to it, and recommend such legislation as it may deem 
expedient in connection therewith. 

3. The Committee on Ways and Means shall consider and report upon 
all resolutions, proposed statutes or amendments thereof relating to the 
revenue of the Supreme Lodge. It shall report such legislation for the 
raising of revenue as it may deem necessary or expedient. 

4. The Committee on Grievances shall consider and report upon all 
grievances from Grand Lodges, subordinate lodges or members of the order 
which may be referred to it by the Supreme Lodge. 

5. The Committee on Finance, immediately after the expiration of the 
quarters ending with June, September and December in each year, shall 
cause the books and accounts of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal 
and of the Supreme Master of Exchequer to be examined and audited by 
two members of the committee, to be designated by the chairman; and a 
full meeting of the committee shall be held on or before the 15th of April 
of each year for the same purpose. After each of the examinations 
herein provided for, the committee shall make a full report of the result of 
such examination to the Supreme Chancellor, together with such recom- 
mendations to the Supreme Lodge or the Supreme Chancellor as in its 
judgment may be necessary or desirable. Copies of all reports so made 
shall be presented to the Supreme Lodge at its ensuing regular convention. 
The committee shall examine the books and accounts of the Major General 
and the Adjutant General, when directed by the Supreme Chancellor to 
do so. It shall examine and report upon all resolutions, proposed statutes 
or amendments thereof which involve an expenditure of money from the 
exchequer of the Supreme Lodge. It shall also report estimates for all 
expenditures of money from the exchequer of the Supreme Lodge during 
the ensuing biennial term, together with resolutions making appropria- 
tions therefor. 

6. The Committee on Credentials shall examine and report upon such 
certificates of Past Grand Chancellors and credentials of Supreme Repre- 
sentatives as may be submitted to it by the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal. It shall meet with the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal 
at least one day prior to the opening of each convention of the Supreme 
Lodge, and- shall be prepared to report upon such certificates and creden- 
tials immediately upon the opening of the convention. It shall also 
examine and report upon such certificates and credentials as may be 
referred to it by the Supreme Lodge. 

7. The Committee on Reports shall carefully examine the reports from 
the several Grand Lodges, and from the subordinate lodges not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge, and shall accompany its report thereon by such 
recommendations relating thereto as it may deem necessary or desirable. 

8. The Committee on Mileage and Per Diem shall compute the mileage 
and per diem of all those entitled thereto for attendance at any convention 



26 SUPREME [Title I, 

of the Supreme Lodge, and shall make out a complete and correct pay roll, 
reporting in detail the amount to which each person on such pay roll is 
entitled; and no exchequer order shall be drawn for the payment of such 
mileage and per diem until such report shall have been adopted by the 
Supreme Lodge. 

9. The Committee on State of the Order shall examine and report upon 
such portions of the reports of the Supreme officers and such other mat- 
ters as may be referred to it, and shall accompany its reports by such recom- 
mendations relating thereto as it may deem necessary or desirable. 

10. The Committee on Written Work shall examine and report upon 
such portions of the reports of the Supreme officers or other matters relat- 
ing to the work of the order, not properly of a secret nature, as may be 
referred to it by the Supreme Lodge. 

11. The Committee on Unwritten Work shall examine and report upon 
such portions of the reports of the Supreme officers, or other matters, as 
may be referred to it by the Supreme Lodge, including therein all matters 
in consonance and keeping with the name of the committee. 

12. The Committee on Printing shall have general and supervisory 
charge, as may be provided by the Supreme Statutes, of all matters relating 
to the printing or binding of journals, books or other printed matter, except 
printed supplies, required by the Supreme Lodge. The Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal shall be a member of this committee. 

13. The Committee on Warrants and Charters shall examine and report 
upon such portions of the reports of the Supreme officers as may be 
referred to it. It shall also examine and report as to all warrants for Grand 
or subordinate lodges issued by the Supreme Chancellor, and upon all 
applications for charters, with such recommendations as it may deem neces- 
sary and desirable. 

14. The Committee on Rules shall, from time to time, report such rules 
as it may deem desirable, or as the Supreme Lodge may direct, for the con- 
duct of the business of the Supreme Lodge. 

15. The Committee on Review shall carefully examine the Official 
Record and the Daily Journal,. and call the attention of the Supreme Lodge 
to any unfinished business which it may discover therein. 

16. The Committee on Endowment Rank shall examine the report of 
the President of the Board of Control, and such portions of the reports of 
other Supreme officers and other matters as may be referred to it, and shall 
report thereon, and shall recommend such legislation relating thereto as it 
may deem necessary and desirable. 

17. The Committee on Uniform Rank shall examine the report of the 
Major General of the Uniform Rank, and such portions of the reports of 
other Supreme officers and other matters as may be referred to it, and shall 
report thereon, and shall recommend such legislation relating thereto as it 
may deem necessary and desirable. 



Chap. III.] STATUTES. 27 

18. The Supreme Chancellor, when so directed by the Supreme Lodge, 
shall appoint special committees, whose duties shall be such as may be 
designated or assigned in the legislation by which they are created. 

19. Membership on a standing committee shall terminate in the case 
of a Supreme Representative with the expiration of his service as such, 
unless previous thereto he shall have been elected or appointed a Supreme 
Representative. 

20. Membership on a special committee shall continue until the next 
convention of the Supreme Lodge, and until the report of such committee 
shall have been tinally disposed of, and the committee thereby or otherwise 
discharged. 

21. Any committee of the Supreme Lodge shall hold such meetings 
during the recess of the Supreme Lodge as the Supreme Lodge or the 
Supreme Chancellor may direct, and not otherwise. 

22. The standing committees of the Supreme Lodge are hereby 
authorized and empowered to send for persons and to demand papers 
which may be required for the performance of their duties, but special 
committees shall have such power only when specifically so authorized by 
the Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER II. 

TO PROVIDE FOR ASSEMBLY IN COUNCIL OF THE OFFICERS OP THE SUPREME 

LODGE. 

23. The Supreme Chancellor shall assemble in council the ofiicers of 
the Supreme Lodge, whenever in his judgment the counsel and advice of 
such officers is necessary for the protection of the order, or to provide for 
or against unforeseen or impending calamity to the order, or for the general 
welfare thereof ; and it shall be his duty to assemble said ofiicers in council 
whenever requested in writing so to do by five officers of the Supreme 
Lodge. 

24. The assembly in council shall be at such time and place as the 
Supreme Chancellor may determine, and reasonable, notice thereof shall 
be given by the Supreme Chancellor to each officer of the Supreme Lodge. 
Six officers of the Supreme Lodge shall constitute a quorum of such 
assembly in council, and the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall be 
ex officio the secretary of the assembly. 

CHAPTER III. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE CALLING OF SPECIAL CONVENTIONS OF THE SUPREME 

LODGE. 

25. The Supreme Chancellor, whenever in his judgment, concurred in 
by three other officers of the Supreme Lodge, the interests of the order 
require it, shall call a special convention of the Supreme Lodge, at a time 
and place to be fixed by him, to consider such matters only as may be 



28 SUPREME [ Title I, 

specified in such call. At least thirty days' notice of the time and place of 
such special convention, and of the matters to be considered, shall be given 
to each officer of the Supreme Lodge and each Supreme Representative. 

CHAPTER IV. 

RELATING TO THE REVENUE OP THE SUPREME GOVERNMENT — PENALTIES. 

26. The revenue of the Supreme Government shall be derived from 
Supreme Representative tax, per capita tax, fees for warrants and the sale 
of supplies. 

27. Each Grand Lodge shall pay to the Supreme Lodge, annually, as 
Supreme Representative tax, fifty dollars for each Supreme Representative 
to which it is entitled. 

28. Immediately after the 30th of June and the 31st day of December 
of each calendar year, every subordinate lodge not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge shall pay to the Supreme Lodge, through its Deputy 
Supreme Chancellor, twenty-five cents per capita for each member on its 
roster at such dates respectively. 

29. Every application for a warrant to institute a subordinate lodge not 
within the domain of a Grand Lodge shall be accompanied by a fee of 
twenty-five dollars. 

30. Every application for a warrant to institute a Grand Lodge shall be 
accompanied by a fee of one hundred dollars. 

31. The following supplies shall be obtainable only from the office of 
the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal: application cards (or petitions 
for membership), charters, dedicatory ceremony, digest, funeral service, 
Grand Lodge cards, installation service, official jewels, memorial service, 
music or ode cards or books, memorial day service, reports of decisions of 
the Supreme Tribunal, rituals, second rank blanks, Supreme Constitution, 
Supreme statutes, travelling shields, transfer cards, witlidrawal cards, war- 
rants for subordinate lodges, diplomas and credentials of rank or honor, 
official receipts and orders for passwords. 

32. Should any Grand Lodge, subordinate lodge or individual member 
manufacture for its or his own use, or for the use of another, or obtain 
from any other source than that specified in the preceding section, any of 
the supplies therein enumerated, said Grand Lodge, subordinate lodge or 
individual member shall be deemed guilty of an off'ence against the order, 
and punished as hereinafter prescribed. 

33. In case the ofi'ender is a Grand Lodge, or a subordinate lodge not 
within the domain of a Grand Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor, on being 
convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the commission of the ofl"ence, 
shall have power to suspend the warrant or charter of said Grand Lodge 
or subordinate lodge for such length of time as he may deem proper. 



Chap, v.] STATUTES. 29 

34. In case the offender is a subordinate lodge within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor, on being convinced beyond a rea- 
sonable doubt of the commission of. the offence, shall have power to direct 
the Grand Chancellor thereof to suspend the warrant or charter of said 
lodge for such length of time as he may deem proper; and in case of the 
failure or refusal of said Grand Chancellor to do so, the Supreme Chan- 
cellor may proceed as provided in the preceding section. 

35. In case the offender is an individual member of the order, the 
Supreme Chancellor, on being convinced beyond a reasonable doubt of the 
commission of the offence, shall prefer charges against said individual for 
such offence, before the subordinate lodge of which he is a member, and 
upon conviction, the penalty shall be suspension or expulsion from the 
order, as the lodge may determine. 

36. In case of a violation of the provisions of section 32 by a subordinate 
lodge or an individual member, the Grand Chancellor may proceed of his 
own motion as prescribed in sections 34 and 35. 

37. The prices of the supplies enumerated in section 31 shall be fixed 
by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal ; and said prices shall be such 
as to yield a reasonable percentage of profit to the Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER V. 

RELATING TO THE SUPREME KEEPER OF RECORDS AND SEAL. 

38. Before any one shall be installed in the office of Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal, he shall file with the Supreme Chancellor a bond, 
with sureties approved by the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Vice 
Chancellor, in the penal sum of twenty thousand dollars, conditioned for 
the faithful discharge of the duties of the office, and for the delivery to his 
successor, at the end of his official term or upon his removal from office, of 
all the property and funds of the Supreme Lodge that may have come into 
his possession by virtue of his incumbency of the office, which may or 
should be in his keeping at the time the office is vacated. If such bond be 
not filed during the convention of the Supreme Lodge at which said officer 
is elected, the Supreme Chancellor shall install him into his office upon his 
executing and filing such bond at any time within sixty days after his 
election. If such bond shall not be filed by the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal elect within sixty days after his election, the office shall be 
declared vacant by the Supreme Chancellor, and appointment made to fill 
the same — subject to all the requirements of this section as to giving bond. 

39. The Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall enter upon the 
duties of his oflace immediately after his installation. He shall attend all 
the conventions of the Supreme Lodge, and every session of each conven- 
tion, and keep a true and comprehensive record of all the proceedings 
thereof, which, when printed, shall be styled and cited as the "Official 
Record of the Proceedings of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias," and 



30 SUPREME [Title I, 

he shall cause the same to be printed and shall transmit to each Grand 
Lodge as many copies thereof as the Grand Lodge has Past Grand Chan- 
cellors, ritualistic officers and subordiaiate lodges, one copy to each subor- 
dinate lodge not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, and two copies to 
the office of the Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal. He shall have charge 
of the archives, seal, books, papers and similar property of the Supreme 
Lodge, and of the manufacture and sale of all supplies; conduct the official 
correspondence of the Supreme Lodge; prepare all warrants and charters 
for Grand Lodges, and all warrants for subordinate lodges not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge; keep a roster of all the Past Grand Chancellors 
entitled to admission to the Supreme Lodge, and perform all other services 
which may from time to time be required of him by the Supreme Lodge. 

40. He shall receive all moneys due the Supreme Lodge, and pay the 
same monthly to the Supreme Master of Exchequer; keep an accurate 
account showing the financial condition of the Supreme Lodge; keep the 
accounts of the Grand Lodges and of the Deputy Supreme Chancellors 
with the Supreme Lodge, and draw all orders on the Supreme Master of 
Exchequer that may be authorized by law. He shall submit his books and 
accounts to the Committee on Finance, for examination and inspection, 
whenever called upon by it so to do. 

41. He shall make and transmit to the Supreme Chancellor, as soon as 
possible after the expiration of the fiscal year which ends during a recess 
of the Supreme Lodge, a report of the transactions of his office during said 
fiscal year, and shall submit to the Supreme Lodge, at the opening of each 
biennial convention, a printed report showing the general condition of the 
order and the financial condition of the Supreme Lodge. 

42. The actual incumbent of the office of Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal shall receive, as compensation for his services and for the expense 
of his office, such amount as may be fixed and appropriated by the Supreme 
Lodge. The amount shall be fixed and the appropriation made at each bien- 
nial convention of the Supreme Lodge, to cover a period of two years from 
the beginning of the current fiscal year. 

CHAPTER VI. 

RELATING TO THE SUPRExME MASTER OF EXCHEQUER. 

43. Before any one shall be installed in the office of Supreme Mas- 
ter of Exchequer, he shall file with the Supreme Chancellor a bond, with 
sureties approved by the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Vice Chan- 
cellor, in the penal sum of fifty thousand dollars, conditioned for the faith- 
ful discharge of the duties of the office of Supreme Master of Exchequer, 
and for the delivery to his successor, at the end of his official term or upon 
his removal from office, of all the property and funds of the Supreme Lodge 
of which he may become possessed by virtue of his incumbency of said 
office, which may or should be in his possession at the time the office is 
vacated. If such bond be not filed during the convention of the Supreme 



Chap. VII.] STATUTES. 31 

Lodge at which said officer is elected, the Supreme Chancellor shall install 
him into his office upon his executing and filing such bond at any time 
within sixty days after his election. If such bond shall not be filed by the 
Supreme Master of Exchequer elect within sixty days after his election, 
the office shall be declared vacant by the Supreme Chancellor, and an 
appointment made to fill the vacancy, subject to all the requirements of 
this section as to giving bond. 

44. The Supreme Master of Exchequer shall enter upon the duties of 
his office immediately after his installation; he shall receive all funds that 
should come into his hands by virtue of his office, and shall give receipt 
therefor by his proper signature and official title, and he and his sureties 
shall be responsible therefor. 

45. He shall pay all orders drawn on him by the Supreme Chancellor 
and attested by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, and such orders, 
when properly endorsed by the respective payees, shall be his only valid 
vouchers for the disbursement of the funds of the Supreme Lodge. 

46. He shall keep an accurate account of all receipts and disburse- 
ments. He shall submit his books and accounts to the Committee on 
Finance, for examination and inspection, whenever called upon by it so 
to do. 

47. He shall attend all the conventions of the Supreme Lodge, and 
every session of each convention, and shall come to each regular or special 
convention prepared to pay all the accounts which the Supreme Lodge 
may allow, and to turn over to his successor in office all the funds in his 
possession. He shall present to the Supreme Lodge, at the opening of each 
biennial convention, a printed report giving a detailed account of the 
receipts and disbursements of his office during the preceding two fiscal 
years. 

48. The actual incumbent of the office of Supreme Master of Ex- 
chequer shall receive, as compensation for his services and for the expense 
of his office, such amount as may be fixed and appropriated by the 
Supreme Lodge. The amount shall be fixed and the appropriation made at 
each biennial convention of the Supreme Lodge, to cover a period of two 
years from the beginning of the current fiscal year. 

CHAPTER VII. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE PERFORMANCE OF CERTAIN DUTIES BY THE SUPREME VICE 
CHANCELLOR, AND TO PROVIDE FOR THE EXPENSE THEREOF. 

49. It shall be the duty of the Supreme Vice Chancellor to visit such 
of the Grand Lodges as the Supreme Chancellor shall designate, not 
exceeding in all, during his term of office, one-half of entire number in 
existence, unless sickness or some other unavoidable circumstance shall 
prevent; and to perform such duties in connection therewith as he may 
be requested by the Supreme Chancellor, which are not by law specifically 



32 SUPREME [ Title I, 

devolved upon the Supreme Chancellor; and, when engaged in the per- 
formance of such duties, he shall be entitled to receive the same mileage 
as is provided for other Supreme Lodge officers when in the performance 
of official duties. 

CHAPTEE VIII. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE SUCCESSION IN CASE OF VACANCIES IN THE OFFICES OF 
SUPREME CHANCELLOR OR SUPREME VICE CHANCELLOR, OR BOTH. 

50. In the case of a vacancy in the office of Supreme Chancellor, 
caused by the death, resignation or removal from office of the incumbent 
as provided by law, the duties of the office shall immediately devolve upon 
the Supreme Vice Chancellor, who shall act as Supreme Chancellor for the 
remainder of the current biennial term, and until the said office shall have 
been duly filled by election and installation at the ensuing regular conven- 
tion of the Supreme Lodge. 

51. While acting as Supreme Chancellor, in case of a vacancy in said 
office, the Supreme Vice Chancellor shall be known and styled "Supreme 
Chancellor ad intei-im," and shall be entitled during the period of such 
service to all the honors, benefits, privileges, salary and emoluments of 
such office; and upon the completion of the term of service, as herein- 
before provided, shall be entitled to the honor of Past Supreme Chancellor; 
provided that, in case such vacancy in the office of Supreme Chancellor 
shall have been caused by removal from said office, such lionor shall not 
be so attained, unless such vacancy shall have occurred at least sixty days 
prior to and exclusive of the date fixed by the Supreme Lodge for its 
ensuing biennial convention. 

52. While acting as and discharging the duties of Supreme Chancellor, 
during the temporary absence or disability of the incumbent of such office, 
the Supreme Vice Chancellor shall be known and styled " Supreme Chan- 
cellor pro tempore." 

53. Within ten days from the time a vacancy shall have been caused 
by the death, resignation or removal from office of the Supreme Chan- 
cellor, the Supreme Chancellor ad interim shall appoint a Supreme Repre- 
sentative to the office of Supreme Vice Chancellor, and shall, prior to the 
ensuing convention of the Supreme Lodge, install such officer. 

54. If, in case of the death, resignation, impeachment or removal from 
office of the Supreme Chancellor, a vacancy should exist in the office of 
Supreme Vice Chancellor, caused by the death, resignation or removal 
from office of the incumbent of such office, or in case of the death of the 
Supreme Vice Chancellor before entering upon the duties of Supreme 
Chancellor, then, and in such case, the Supreme Keeper of Records and 
Seal shall forthwith notify each officer of the Supreme Lodge of the exist- 
ence of such vacancies in the offices of Supreme Chancellor and Supreme 
Vice Chancellor, and shall appoint a time and place at which such officers 



Chap. IX.] STATCTES. 33 

shall assemble in council. The place selected for such council shall be so 
situated that it may be reached before the date lixed for the assembly by a 
majority of the said officers in not more than three days' continuoas travel 
by the ordinary modes of conveyance, and the time selected shall be not 
more than ten days subsequent to the date upon which the vacancy in the 
oflBce of ."t^upreme Vice Chancellor shall have occurred. 

55. The officers of the Supreme Lodge, when assembled in council as 
hereinbefore provided, shall choose one of their number for chairman, and 
the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall be ex officio secretary. If 
six officers or more be present, they shall elect, from the Supreme Repre- 
sentatives upon whom has been conferred the Supreme Lodge rank, one 
to be Supreme Chancellor and one to be Supreme Vice Chancellor. Such 
election shall be by ballot, and a majority of the votes of those present 
shall be necessary to an election. 

56. The Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall notify each officer 
elect of his election within one day thereafter; and if, within twenty days 
from the date of his election, such officer shall be installed by the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, or by any officer of the Supreme Lodge in 
the presence of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, he shall forth- 
with enter upon the duties of the office to which he may have been elected. 
But if such officer elect shall not within the time named for installation be 
duly installed, then the office to which he was elected shall be deemed. 
to be vacant, and such vacancy shall be filled as provided by this chapter. 

CHAPTER IX. 

PROVIDING FOR THE IMPEACHMENT OF THE SUPREME CHANCELLOR OR A SUPREME 
TRIBUNE. 

57. The Supreme Chancellor or a Supreme Tribune shall be liable to 
impeachment for drunkenness, or for a breach of trust in connection with 
the funds of the order, or for any violation of the criminal laws of his 
country involving moral turpitude, or for neglect of his official duties or 
obligations, or for any wilful betrayal of the interests of the order, or for 
any conduct unbecoming a Knight of Pythias. 

58. Articles of impeachment may be preferred against the Supreme 
Chancellor or a Supreme Tribune by ten or more Supreme Representa- 
tives, or by six or more Supreme Lodge officers. 

59. The Supreme Tribunal and the Supreme Lodge officers, other than 
than those preferring the articles, shall be the tribunal to try the Supreme 
Chancellor or a Supreme Tribune against whom articles of impeachment 
have been preferred. 

60. The articles of impeachment herein provided for shall specify the 
offence or offences charged, and in w4iat it consists, with clearness and pre- 
cision and with reasonable detail as to time and place and circumstances^ 



34 SUPREME [Title I, 

and be signed by the parties preferring tliem, and shall be filed with the 
Supreme Keeper of Eecords and Seal. 

61. When articles of impeachment shall have been preferred against 
the Supreme Chancellor or against a Supreme Tribune, and filed, the pre- 
siding officer of the trial tribunal shall fix a time and place for the trial, and 
at once notify the other members of the tribunal of the time and place 
appointed. Thereupon the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall attest 
and issue a summons, citing the accused to appear before the trial tribunal 
on the day and at the place so appointed, which shall be specified in the 
summons. He shall issue at the same time a correct copy of the articles of 
impeachment, which shall accompany the summons and be left with the 
accused. Such summons and copy of the articles may be served by any 
member of the order authorized by the Supreme Keeper of Records and 
Seal so to do, or by registered letter mailed by the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal to the usual postoffice address of the accused. 

62. Evidence on the trial of impeachnQents may be oral or by deposi- 
tions taken upon proper notice. At least twenty days' notice of the time 
and place of taking depositions shall be given the adverse party. The 
Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, upon application of the accused, may 
designate by order in writing, which shall be filed with and kept with the 
papers, the party upon whom notice to the prosecution may be served. 
The notice may be served either by personal service, or by registered letter 
mailed to the proper address of the person entitled thereto. 

63. The Supreme Chancellor shall preside on the impeachment of a 
Supreme Tribune, unless he be one of those preferring the articles, in 
which event the officer of the Supreme Lodge highest in rank, not so dis- 
qualified, shall preside. 

64. The Chief Tribune shall preside on the impeachment of the Supreme 
•Chancellor. 

65. In all cases, either party may be represented by counsel of his own 
selection, who shall be members of the order in good standing. 

66. On the trial of impeachments, the trial tribunal shall have such 
jurisdiction and powers as are conferred by the provisions of the Supreme 
constitution relating to impeachment. 

67. The Supreme Chancellor or Supreme Tribune impeached hereunder 
shall be suspended from the exercise of his official duties until his acquittal. 
If the Supreme Chancellor or Supreme Tribune impeached shall be con- 
victed, the judgment shall not extend beyond removal from office and dis- 
qualification to fill any office in the order thereafter. 

68. When the Supreme Chancellor shall be suspended from the exercise 
of his official duties, pending his impeachment as herein provided for, the 
Supreme Vice Chancellor shall discharge the duties of Supreme Chancellor 
pending such suspension. When a member of the Supreme Tribunal shall 



Chap. X.] STATUTES. 35 

■be suspended from the exercise of his official duties, pendino; his impeach- 
ment, as herein provided, the Supreme Chancellor shall fill by appoint- 
ment the temporary vacancy thus occasioned. 

69. Impeachment and conviction hereunder shall not preclude or pre- 
vent the trial and punishment of the offender for the same offence before 
any other tribunal of the order having jurisdiction of the party and of the 
oflence. 

70. After all the evidence upon the impeachment of the Supreme 
Chancellor or of a Supreme Tribune shall have been heard and consid- 
ered, as hereinbefore provided, the guilt of the accused shall be determined 
by the trial tribunal by vote, hj yeas and nays, and the vote shall be entered 
in full upon the minutes of its proceedings, full and accurate record of all 
■of which shall be kept by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. If 

two-thirds of all the members shall vote in favor of his conviction, the 
judgment shall be removal of the accused from his office and disqualifica- 
tion to hold any office in the order thereafter, or only removal from office, 
iis the trial tribunal may determine — and the judgment shall be recorded 
on the minutes. If less than two-thirds of all the members vote for his 
conviction, the accused shall stand acquitted, and the judgment shall be so 
recorded on the minutes. 

71. The record, of the proceedings of the trial tribunal, signed by the 
presiding officer thereof and attested by the Supreme Keeper of Records 

.and Sea], shall be returned to the Supreme Lodge at its next convention 
-and filed in the archives of that body. 

72. If the Supreme Chancellor impeached hereunder shall be convicted 
and removed from office, the duties of the office shall at once devolve upon 
the Supreme Vice Chancellor for the unexpired term of said Supreme Chan- 
cellor. 

73. If a Supreme Tribune shall be impeached, convicted and removed 
from office, the vacancy shall be filled at once by the appointment by the 
Supreme Chancellor of a person eligible thereto, who shall hold said office 
until the next convention of the Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER X. 

PROVIDING FOR THE REMOVAL FROM OFFICE OP SUPREME LODGE OFFICERS 
OTHER THAN THE SUPREME CHANCELLOR. 

74. Any Supreme Lodge officer other than the Supreme Chancellor 
may be removed from office for drunkenness, or for a breach of trust in 

• connection with the funds of the order, or for any violation of the criminal 
laws of his couuti:y involving moral turpitude, or for wilful neglect of his 
official duties or obligations, or for any wilful betrayal of the interests of 

->the order, or for conduct unbecoming a Knight of Pythias. 

75. For any of the offences specified in the preceding section, charges 



36 SUPREME [Title I,. 

may be preferred against such Supreme Lodge officer by ten or more 
Supreme Representatives or by six or more Supreme Lodge officers. 

76. The charges herein provided for shall specify the off'ence charged,, 
and in what it consists, with clearness and precision and with reasonable 
detail as to time, place and circumstances, and shall be filed with the 
Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal. 

77. The Supreme Tribunal and the Supreme Lodge officers, other than 
the accused and those preferring the charges, shall constitute the tribunal 
for the trial of the Supreme Lodge officer against whom charges shall have 
been preferred as provided by this chapter. 

78. When such charges shall have been preferred and filed, the pre- 
siding officer of the trial tribunal shall fix a time and place for the trial 
thereof, and notify the other members of the tribunal of the time and 
place so appointed ; thereupon the Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal 
shall attest and issue a summons citing t^e accused to appear before the 
tribunal on the day and at the place specified in the summons. He shall 
issue at the same time a correct copy of the charges, which shall accom- 
pany the summons and be left with the accused. Such summons and copy 
of the charges may be served by the Marshal, or the Recorder when acting 
as' Marshal of the Supreme Tribunal, or by registered letter mailed by the 
Recorder to the usual postoflSce address of the accused. 

79. Evidence on the trial of such charges maybe oral or by depositions 
taken on proper notice. At least twenty days' notice of the time and 
place of taking depositions shall be given the adverse party. The Re- 
corder of the Supreme Tribunal, upon application of the accused, may 
designate by order in writing the party on whom notice to the prosecution 
may be served, but such order shall be filed and kept with the papers in 
the cause. The notice may be served either by personal service, attested 
by the pledge of honor of the party serving the same, or by registered 
letter to the proper postoffice address of the person entitled thereto. 

80. The Chief Tribune shall preside on the trial of such charges, and 
the trial tribunal maj^ on proper application grant continuances, or for 
good cause shown change the place fixed for the trial, having reference 
always to economy in expenditures and to the reasonable convenience of 
the accused. Said tribunal shall have such other jurisdiction and powers 
as are conferred by the Supreme Constitution in the provisions thereof 
relating thereto. 

81. In all caseo either party may be represented by counsel of his own 
selection, who shall be members of the order in good standing. 

82. The Supreme Lodge officer accused shall be suspended from the 
exercise of his official duties while such charges are pending against him, 
and the temporary vacancy thus occasioned shall be filled by the Supreme- 
Chancellor by appointment. 



€hap. XL] STATUTES. 37 

83. If the Supreme Lodge officer so accused shcall be convicted, the 
judgment shall not extend beyond his removal from office and disqualifi- 
cation to fill any^ office in the order thereafter. Conviction hereunder 
shall not prevent or preclude the trial and punishment of the accused for 
the same oSence before any other tribunal of the order having jurisdiction 
of the party and of the offence. 

84. The conviction and removal from office of a Supreme Lodge officer, 
upon his trial herein provided for, shall require the affirmative vote of two- 
thirds of all the members constituting the trial tribunal. If two-thirds of 
^11 the members of said tribunal shall vote in favor of his conviction, the 
judgment shall be removal from his office and disqualification to hold any 
-office in the order thereafter, or removal from office only, as the tribunal 
may determine. 

85. Upon the removal from office of a Supreme Lodge officer by trial 
and conviction as herein provided for, the duties of said office shall devolve 
upon the person appointed thereto by the Supreme Chancellor under sec- 
tion 82, until the next convention of the Supreme Lodge. 

86. The Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal shall keep a full and accu- 
rate record of the proceedings of the trial tribunal, which record, signed 
by the presiding officer and attested by the Recorder, shall be returned to 
the Supreme Lodge at its next convention and filed in the archives of that 
body. 

CHAPTER XL 

RELATING TO THE COMPENSATION FOR ATTENDANCE AT CONVENTIONS OF THE 
SUPREME LODGE, AT MEETINGS OF COMMITTEES, AT COUNCILS OF SUPREME 
LODGE OFFICERS AND AT SITTINGS OF THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL. 

87. Past Supreme Chancellors, Supreme Lodge officers. Supreme Repre- 
•sentatives and members of special committees who are not otherwise 
entitled thereto, shall receive compensation for attendance at conventions 
of the Supreme Lodge, as follows : 

Par. 1. For each daily session of the Supreme Lodge, including inter- 
vening Sundays, and week days upon which by reason of a recess no ses- 
sion may be held, and for each day consumed in travelling to and returning 
from such convention, a per diem compensation of five dollars; provided 
that no member shall be allowed any per diem after he shall have been 
esxcused from further attendance. 

Far. 2. For each mile of distance travelled in going to and returning 
from such 'convention, a mileage compensation of five cents. 

Par. 8. In computing the mileage compensation, the distance shall be 
reckoned from the actual residence within the Grand Domain of which any 
person named in this section shall be a member, to the point at which the 
convention of the Supreme Lodge is held, and return therefrom by the 
shortest practicable route, taking into consideration both the time con- 
sumed and distance travelled. 



38 SUPREME [Title I^ 

Par. 4. In computing the per diem compensation, one day shall be 
allowed for each four hundred miles or fraction thereof travelled — that is, 
one half day for each two hundred miles, or one fourth day for each one 
hundred miles — reckoning the journey going to the convention and the 
journey returning therefrom as one journey. 

Par. 5. Members of any committee of the Supreme Lodge shall receive, 
for attendance at any legal meeting of such committee during the recess of 
the Supreme Lodge, a per diem and mileage compensation at the same- 
rates per day and per mile respectively, and computed on the same basis, 
as the compensation hereinbefore provided for attendance at conventions 
of the Supreme Lodge. 

Par. 6. Members of any special committee of the Supreme Lodge, w^ho 
may not be otherwise entitled to compensation therefor, shall receive for 
attendance at the convention of the Supreme Lodge at which the report of 
such committee is to be submitted, and until such report shall be disposed 
of and the committee thereby or otherwise discharged, a per diem and 
mileage compensation at the same rates per day and per mile respectively, 
and computed on the same basis, as the compensation hereinbefore pro- ' 
vided for attendance at conventions of the Supreme Lodge. 

88. Supreme Lodge officers, assembled in council as provided by the 
Supreme Statutes, shall receive, for attendance at such assembly in council,. 
a per diem and mileage compensation at the same rates per day and per 
mile respectively, as the compensation hereinbefore provided for attendance 
at conventions of the Supreme Lodge. 

89. Members and the Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal shall receive^ 
for attendance at any sitting thereof, when duly held as provided by law, 
a per diem and mileage compensation at the rates of five dollars per day 
and five cents per mile, respectively, and computed on the same basis as 
the compensation hereinbefore provided for attendance at conventions of 
the Supreme Lodge. The Recorder shall certify in writing the amount of 
mileage and per diem to which each is entitled under the provisions of this 
section, from time to time, and shall file such certificate with the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, whereupon the amount so certified shall be 
paid out of the general fund of the Supreme Lodge. 

90. Nothing in this chapter shall be construed to authorize the pay- 
ment to one person of more than one mileage compensation for each jour- 
ney performed, or of more than one per diem compensation for the time 
consumed upon such journey, or to attend a convention of the Supreme 
Lodge or a meeting of a committee or an assembly in council of the officers 
of the Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER XII. 

RELATING TO THE GRANTING OF DISPENSATIONS BY THE SUPREME CHANCELLOR. 

91. The Supreme Chancellor shall have power to grant dispensations to 
subordinate lodges not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, as follows: 



Chap. Xlll.] STATUTES. 39 

Par. 1. For application for membership by a person over fifty years of 
age. 

Par. 2. For application for membership by a maimed person. 

Par. 3. For conferring two or more of the ranks of knighthood upon the 
same person at the same convention of a subordinate lodge. 

Par. 4. For ballotting upon an application for the ranks of knighthood at 
the same convention of the subordinate lodge at which it was received. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

TO REGULATE THE APPOINTMENT, POWERS AND DUTIES OP DEPUTY SUPREME 
CHANCELLORS AND INSTALLING OFFICERS. 

92. A Deputy Supreme Chancellor shall be deemed the representative 
of the Supreme Chancellor, and may be appointed or removed by him at 
his discretion and pleasure. He shall be subject at all times to the instruc- 
tions and control of the Supreme Chancellor, and shall be responsible to 
him for the manner in which his duties may be discharged. 

93. Every Deputy Supreme Chancellor shall receive from the Supreme 
Chancellor a commission, under his official seal, and the powers and duties 
of any Deputy Supreme Chancellor shall be as set forth in such commission, 
and not otherwise. Such commission, unless sooner revoked, shall ex])ire 
by its own limitation, or with the term of oflSce of the Supreme Chancellor 
issuing the same. 

94. A Deputy Supreme Chancellor shall not be permitted to delegate or 
transfer the powers and duties conferred by his commission, nor any of 
them, to any other person or persons whomsoever. 

95. A Deputy Supreme Chancellor, who may be placed in charge of ter- 
ritory not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, shall be known as a District 
Deputy Supreme Chancellor, and may be commissioned by the Supreme 
Chancellor to do or perform any act which might be done or performed by 
the Supreme Chancellor within such territory. 

96. A District Deputy Supreme Chancellor may nominate and recom- 
mend to the Supreme Chancellor such Past Chancellors as he may select 
for appointment as installing officers; and, if approved by the Supreme 
Chancellor, they shall be commissioned for the sole purpose of installing 
the officers of lodges to which they may be assigned. 

97. Every person who may be appointed as Deputy Supreme Chan- 
cellor, or as installing officer, under the provisions of this statute, shall file 
with the Supreme Chancellor a certificate from the Master of Finance of 
his subordinate lodge that all dues, fines and assessments charged against 
him in such lodge at the commencement of the then current semi-annual 
term have been fully paid; and no commission shall issue to any such 
deputy or installing officer until such certificate shall have been filed with 
the Supreme Chancellor. Every Deputy Supreme Chancellor and install- 



40 



SUPREME 



[Title I, 



ing officer, duly commissioned as such, shall file with the Supreme Chan- 
cellor, at least thirty daj^s prior to the commencement of each semi- 
annual term, a similar certificate that all dues, fines and assessments 
chargeable against him, to the commencement of such next seini-annual 
term, have been fully paid; and unless such certificate shall have been so 
filed, the commission of such deputy or installing officer shall thereupon 
become null and void. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

PRESCRIBING AND REGULATING THE USE OF SEALS. 

98. The Great Seal of the Supreme Lodge shall be in accordance with 
the following design, and shall be kept in the custody of the Supreme 




Keeper of Records and Seal, and shall be used by him in authenticating 
such documents as require his official attestation. 

99. The Official Seal of the Supreme Chancellor shall be in accordance 
with the following design, and shall be kept in the custody of the Supreme 




Chancellor, and shall be used by him in authenticating such documents as 
require only his official signature. 

100. The Supreme Tribunal shall have an official seal, which shall 
bear the words, Supreme Tribunal, Knights of Pythias, encircling a represent- 
ation of the scales of justice with a sword lying across the scales and 
evenly balancing them. Said seal shall be kept in the custody of the 
Recorder of the Tribunal, and shall be used by him in authenticating such 
documents as require his official attestation. 

101. Each Grand Lodge shall have an official seal, which shall bear 
the name of its domain and the date of its institution, together with such 
devices as it may adopt. Said seal shall be kept in the custody of the 



'Cbap. XV.] STATUTES. 41 

Orand Keeper of Records and Seal, and shall be used by him in authenti- 
cating such documents as require his official attestation. 

102. Each Grand Chancellor may have such official seal as may be 
prescribed by his Grand Lodge. 

103. Each subordinate lodge shall have an official seal, which shall 
bear its name, number, location and date of institution, together with such 
appropriate devices as it shall adopt, ^aid sea] shall be kept in the custody 
■of tlie Keeper of Records and Seal, and shall be used by him in authenti- 
•cating such documents as require his official attestation. 

CHAPTER XV. 

PRESCRIBING THE SECRET PARAPHERNALIA OF THE ORDER, AND THE METHOD 
OF PROCURING THE SAME. 

104. The word paraphernalia, used in this chapter, shall signify such 
articles as the Supreme Lodge may from time to time prescribe for use in 
conferring the ranks of the order. 

105. Lodges and individual members of the order are hereby prohibited 
from purchasing paraphernalia from any paraphernalia dealer or other 
person, unless such dealer or person shall have received and hold unrevoked 
a valid certificate from the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, as pro- 
vided in this chapter. 

106. All dealers in paraphernalia and other persons are hereby required 
to submit catalogs containing a full and complete list of the Knights of 
Pythias paraphernalia manufactured or for sale by them, to the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, who shall carefully examine them, and, after 

-erasing such articles (if any) as may not legitimately be used, he shall 
issue to such dealer or person a certificate of approval in prescribed form ; 
and if any dealer or person shall desire to sell or furnish any paraphernalia 
not specified in their approved catalog, a description of such parapher- 
nalia shall be submitted to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, in 
"the same manner as the original catalog was submitted. 

107. If any lodge shall violate any of the provisions of this chapter, 
its warrant or charter may be revoked, after due trial and conviction ; and 
if an individual member or a committee appointed with power to act shall 
be guilty of said violation, he or they may be suspended. 

108. If any paraphernalia dealer shall violate any of the provisions of 
this chapter, his certificate may be revoked, on proper proof, and all 
rights and privileges thereunder shall be annulled. 

109. Nothing contained in this chapter shall operate to prevent a sub- 
■ordinate lodge from manufacturing paraphernalia for its own use. 



42 SUPREME [Title I,. 

CHAPTER XVL 

PRESCRIBING THE JEWELS OF THE ORDER, THEIR SALE AND USE. 

110. All jewels of the order, except those for the Uniform Rank, shall 
be supplied by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, at such prices as 
may be fixed by him from time to time, to persons legally entitled to pro- 
cure them ; and it shall not be lawful for any lodge, body or member of the 
order to procure, wear or be in possession of any jewel, or any imitation 
thereof, except such as shall have been obtained from the Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal, either directly or through the proper Grand Lodge; 
provided that this section shall not apply to jewels of the approved design, 
heretofore presented to or in possession of any member of the order, which 
haS-e been properly attested by the impression of the Great Seal of the 
Supreme Lodge. 

111, Supreme Lodge jewels, except jewels for Past Supreme Represent- 
atives, shall be of the following design: A circular frame, of gold or other 
yellow metal, one-half inch in width and two and one-half inches in outside 
diameter; on this an equilateral triangle, of silver or other white metal, the 
points of which shall reach the outer circumference of the circle, the apex 
being upward. Upon this triangle shall be placed appropriate emblems, in 
gold or other yellow metal, indicative of the rank, honor or station of the 
wearer, as follows : 

Past Supreme Chancellor. — In the upper portion, three five-pointed stars, 
arranged in a triangle; in the centre, a globe enclosed in a triangle ; in the 
right and left lower corners, the escutcheon of the order, consisting of 
crossed battle axes, breastplate and helmet surmounted by a falcon. 

Supreme Chancellor. — In the upper portion, a mailed hand grasping a 
truncheon; in the centre, a globe enclosed in a triangle; in the right and 
left lower corners, the escutcheon of the order. 

Supreme Vice Chancellor. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the loAver 
portion, a baton placed horizontally, with the escutcheon of the order at 
each end. 

Supreme Prelate. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the lower portion, 
the book of law, open. 

Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. — In the upper portion, a globe; in 
the lower portion, crossed pens. 

Supreme Master of Exchequer. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the 
lower portion, crossed keys. 

Supreme Master at Arms. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the lower 
portion, a sword, a lance and a battle axe, crossed. 

Supreme Inner Guard. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the lower por- 
tion, two swords, crossed. 

Supreme Outer Guard. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the lower pK)r- 
tion, a sword placed horizontally. 

Major General of the Uniforyn Rank. — In the upper portion, two stars, 
one above the other; in the centre, a calla lily; in the right and left lower 
corners, the escutcheon of the order. 



Chap. XVI.] STATUTES. 43 

President of the Board of Control. — In each of the three corners, the 
escutcheon of the order; in the centre, a scroll with the letters E. R. 

Deputy Supreme Chancellor. — In the upper portion, a globe; in the lower 
portion, a scroll. 

Past Supreme Representative. — A circular frame of gold or other yellow 
metal, five-sixteenths of an inch in width and one and five-eighths inches 
in outside diameter; suspended within the frame, by two small gold or gilt 
chains, a banner shield of white enamel with gold or gilt edges, bearing a 
raised globe surmounted by the word Dirigo, both in gold or gilt. 

112. Grand Lodge jewels shall be of the following design: An oval 
frame of gold or other yellow metal, five-sixteenths of an inch in width, its 
outside diameter being two and three-eighths inches vertically and one and 
one-half inches horizontally; on this, occupying its upper half, an equilat- 
eral triangle of silver or other white metal; on the triangle, extending from 
its centre to the lower edge of the oval, a shield of gold or other yellow 
metal; upon this shield shall be placed appropriate emblems in silver or 
other wliite metal, indicative of the rank, honor or station of the wearer, as 
follows: 

Supreme Representative. — A banner shield, on which shall be shown, in 
the order named, the word Dirigo, a globe, and a blank space in which the 
name of the Grand Domain represented may be engraved. 

Past Grand. Chancellor.— The escutcheon of the order. 

Grand Chancellor. — A mailed hand grasping a truncheon. 

Grand Vice Chancellor. — A vertical baton, with the escutcheon of the 
order at each end. 

Grand Prelate. — The book of law, open. 

Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. — Crossed pens. 

Grand Master of Exchequer. — Crossed keys. 

Grand Master at Arms. — A sword, a lance and a battle axe, crossed. 

Grand Inner Guard. — Two swords, crossed. 

Grand Outer Guard. — One sword, placed vertically. 

Deputy Grand Chancellor. — A scroll. 

113. Jewels for Past Grand Representatives and Representatives in 
Grand Lodges shall be of the following design: An oval frame of gold 
or other yellow metal; in the upper third of the frame, the letter K 
enclosed in a triangle, and in the lower third the letter P enclosed in a tri- 
angle, all of gold or other yellow metal; between the two triangles, a hori- 
zontal bar of black enamel, on which shall be placed, for a Past Grand 
Representative, the letters P G R in silver or other white metal; for a 
Grand Representative, figures in silver or other white metal indicating the 
number of the lodge. The frame above prescribed shall be five-sixteenths 
of an inch in width, its outside diameter being two and three-eighths inches 
vertically and one and a half inches horizontally; or seven-sixteenths of an 
inch in width, its outside diameter being three and five-eighths inches ver- 
tically and two and one-fourth inches horizontally. 



44 SUPREME [Title I, 

114. Subordinate lodge jewels shall be x)f the following devSign: A frame 
of silver or other white metal, which shall be, for a Past Chancellor's jewel, 
a pentagon, three-eighths of an inch in width, with a vertical diameter of 
two inches and a horizontal diameter of one and seven-eighths inches, the 
apex upward ; for a Chancellor Commander's jewel, a double triangle, three- 
eighths of an inch in width, with a vertical diameter of two and one-fourth 
inches and a horizontal diameter of one and seven-eighths inches; for all 
others, an equilateral triangle, three-eighths of an inch in width and meas- 
uring two and one-fourth inches from point to point, the apex downward. 

Upon this frame shall be placed appropriate emblems indicative of the 
rank, honor or station of the wearer, as follows : 

Past Chancellor. — The escutcheon of the order in gold or other yellow 
Baetal. 

Chancellor Commander. — Two swords and a lance (in silver or other white 
metal), crossed, surmounted by the escutcheon of the order in gold or 
other yellow metal. 

Vice Chancellor. — A vertical lance (in silver or other white metal), sur- 
mounted by the escutcheon of the order in gold or other yellow metal. 

Prelate. — A circle in silver or other white metal, on which shall be 
placed the open book of law in gold or other yellow metal. 

Master of the Work. — Fasces and a torch in silver or other white metal, 
erossed. 

Keeper of Records and Seal. — Crossed pens in silver or other white metal. 

Master of Finance. — A pen and a key in silver or other white metal, 
crossed. 

Master of Exchequer. — Crossed keys in silver or other white metal. 

Master at Arms. — A sword, a lance and a battle axe in silver or other 
white metal; the butts touching and the ends extending outward. 

Inner Guard. — Two crossed swords in silver or other white metal. 

Outer Guard. — One sword, in silver or other white metal, placed verti- 
cally. 

Knight. — An oval, surrounded by the letters F C B; on the upper half 
of the oval, the words "Knights of Pythias"; on the lower half, the 
escutcheon of the order, bearing the words ''Esto perpetua" — all in gold or 
other yellow metal. 

115. Any jewel of the order may be made of such degree of fineness 
as niay be desired. 

116. All jewels of the order shall be authenticated by the Great S^eal 
of the Supreme Lodge, stamped in miniature on the reverse thereof. 
Each jewel shall be attached by a link to a horizontal hanger, the link and 
the hanger being of the same material as the frame. 

117. During conventions of lodges, subordinate. Grand or Supreme, 
each occupant of an official station shall wear the jewel pertaining to such 
station. During conventions of a subordinate lodge, each Page shall wear 
a blue collar, each Esquire shall wear a yellow collar, and every other 



Chap. XVII. J STATUTES. ' 45 

person, not occiij^ving an official station, shall wear the jewel of the highest 
rank or honor which he has attained, or of some lower rank or honor; except 
that a Deputy Supreme Chancellor or a Deputy Grand Chancellor, when 
making an o^cial visit, may wear the jewel pertaining to that position. 
During conventions of a Grand Lodge, every person not occupying an 
official station sliall, if a Grand Representative, wear a Grand Representa- 
tive's jewel; or, if not a Grand Representative, the jewel of the highest 
rank or honor which he ]»as attained, or a Past Chancellor's jewel. 
During conventions of the Supreme Lodge, every person not occupying an 
official station shall, if a Supreme Representative, wear a Supreme Repre- 
sentative's jewel ; or, if not a Supreme Representative, the jewel of the 
highest rank or honor which he has attained, or a Past Grand Chancellor's 
jewel. Individual members and lodges, in possession of jewels of a larger 
size than those prescribed in this chapter, may continue to use them. 

118. The jewels of the order shall not be worn outside of the castle 
hall, except during Pythian parades, funerals or other Pythian ceremonies 
of a public character. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

TO REGULATE THE GENERAL PRINTING REQUIRED BY THE SUPREME LODGE. 

119. The following printing shall be done by contract: 
The daily journal of the Supreme Lodge. 

The official record of the Supreme Lodge. 

The reports of the officers of the Supreme Lodge. 

The rituals and ceremonies of the order. 

The book of constitution and statutes. 

The reports of decisions of the Supreme Tribunal. 

120. Advertisements for proposals for such printing as is set forth in 
the preceding section shall be inserted at least once in one leading daily 
newspaper, in not less than three of the principal cities in the United 
States; provided that the foregoing requirement shall not apply to the daily 
journal of the Supreme Lodge, nor to printing of a secret nature. The 
Committee on Printing may also invite proposals from leading printing 
establishments in the country, and adopt such other methods as it may 
deem necessary in order to secure advantageous terms for the printing of 
the Supreme Lodge. 

121. All proposals for printing, as referred to in the preceding sections, 
^hall be sealed and sent by the bidders to the chairman of the Committee 
on Printing, who, as soon as possible, shall call a meeting of the Committee 
on Printing, before whom the said sealed bids shall be opened, and the 
contract so awarded as in the judgment of the committee shall be deemed 
for the best interests of the Supreme Lodge. Said sealed bids shall not be 
opened nor the contract awarded unless there are present at least three 
membetfe of such committee. 



40 SUPREME [Title L 

122. Nothing contained in this statute sliall be construed to apply to 
the iDrinting of circulars, orders or other printing incidental to the carry- 
ing on of the official business of the Supreme Lodge and its officers. 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL OF THE FUNDS OF THE SUPREME LODGE. 

123. The funds of the Supreme Lodge shall not be applied to any pur- 
pose that is inconsistent with the principles or purposes of the order. 

124. No expenditures sliall be made from such funds except under 
appropriations made in accordance with the law, and upon an exchequer 
order, properly signed and attested. 

CHAPTER XIX. 

RELATING TO THE ELECTION OF SUPREME LODGE OFFICERS AND THEIR 
INSTALLATION. 

125. Subject to the provisions of art. vii, sec. 2, of the Supreme Con- 
stitution, the officers of the Supreme Lodge named in said section shall be 
elected at each regular biennial convention of the Supreme Lodge hereafter 
held. The election of such officers shall be by ballot, and shall be held at 
the morning session of the third day of the convention. In all cases, the 
votes of a majority of all the members of the Supreme Lodge present at 
said election shall be necessary to a choice. In^case of a tie, the ballotting 
shall continue until a choice is made. 

126. The Supreme Lodge officers elect shall be installed on the last day 
of the convention. If an officer elect is absent at the time of installation, 
unless excused by the Supreme Lodge, his office shall be declared vacant, 
and another election shall be held at once to fill the vacancy. If an absent 
officer-elect has been excused by the Supreme Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor 
shall have power to install such officer during recess, at his convenience. 
The installation of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal and of the 
Supreme Master of Exchequer shall be subject, however, to the provisions 
&t title i, chapters v and vi, of the Supreme Statutes. 



Chap. I.] STATUTES. 47 

TITLE II. 

THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL. 

I. Organization. 
II. Supreme Tribunes — their selection and terms. 

III. Sittings of the Supreme Tribunal. 

IV. Enforcement of decrees of the Supreme Tribunal. 
"V. Jurisdiction — appellate as to law and facts. 

VI. Jurisdiction —when original and exclusive. 

CHAPTER I. 

RELATING TO THE ORGAXIZATION OF THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL. 

127. The Supreme Tribunal shall consist of (ive Tribunes, any three 
of whom shall constitute a quorum. The concurrence of three shall be 
necessar}^ to a decision. No two Tribunes shall be nominated from tlie 
same Grand Domain, to serve at the same time. Tribunes shall be com- 
missioned by the Supreme Chancellor. The Tribunes shall select by bal- 
lot one of their number, who shall preside as Chief Tribune. 

128. The Associate Tribunes shall have precedence according to the 
dates of their commissions, or, when the commissions of two or more of 
them bear the same date, according to their ages. 

129. In case of a vacancy in the oflSce of Chief Tribune, or of his 
■inability for any reason to perform its duties, they shall devolve upon the 

Associate Tribune who is first in precedence, until such disability is 
removed, or another Chief Tribune is duly qualified. This provision shall 
apply to every Associate Tribune who succeeds to the oflSce of Chief 
Tribune. 

130. Each Tribune, before entering upon the discharge of the duties 
of his position, shall take and subscribe the following obligation: 

"I [his name] do solemnly pledge my knightly honor that I will sup- 
port the Supreme Constitution of the Order of Knights of Pythias, and 
that I will discharge the duties of Supreme Tribune, without prejudice or 
partiality, and to the best of my ability. So help me God." 

The Supreme Prelate shall administer the obligation to one of the five 
Tribunes first elected, and this Tribune, when so obligated, shall administer 
said obligation to his four associates. The Chief Tribune shall administer 
the obligation to each Tribune thereafter chosen. 

131. The Supreme Tribunal shall appoint a Recorder and a Marshal 
for said Tribunal. The duties of Marshal shall devolve upon the Recorder 
so long as the Tribunal shall so elect, or until otherwise provided by law. 

132. It shall be the duty of the Recorder to attend upon the Tribunal • 
at its sittings, issue its processes, and keep a full and correct record of all 
the proceedings of said Tribunal. It shall be the duty of the Marshal to 
execute all processes and orders issuing from the Supreme Tribunal, or 



48 SUPREME [Title 11^. 

made by the Chief Tribune or an Associate Tribune, in pursuance of law;, 
and to take charge of all property of the Supreme Government used by 
the Tribunal or its members. 

133. The Supreme Tribunal shall select from among its members a 
Reporter of its decisions. 

134. The Reporter shall compile the decisions of the Supreme Tribunal 
for each year, and shall prepare the same for printing and publication 
within thirty days from the end of each year. For the compilation and 
preparation of the decisions of each year, excepting the year 1894, he shall 
be entitled to receive from the Supreme exchequer the sum of one hun- 
dred dollars ; but said compensation shall not be paid to him until he has 
performed said services within the time and in the manner above pre- 
scribed. When the decisions shall have been so compiled and prepared, 
the Reporter shall at once deliver the manuscript to the chairman of the 
Committee on Printing, for publication. Within thirty days after the 
delivery thereof to him, the chairman of the Committee on Printing shall 
cause to be published in book form not less than five hundred copies of 
said reports, to be delivered to and sold by the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal. Copies of said reports, when published, shall be distributed 
free of cost by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, as follows: To the 
Supreme Chancellor, the members of the Supreme Tribunal, the Recorder 
of said Supreme Tribunal, and the members of the Committee on Judi- 
ciary, each one copy. The copy received by the Recorder shall be kept in 
his office for the use of the Supreme Tribunal. 

4 

CHAPTER II. 

RELATING TO THE NOMINATION, CONFIRMATION AND TERMS OP SERVICE OF 
SUPREME TRIBUNES, AND TO PROVIDE FOR FILLING VACANCIES. 

135. The Supreme Chancellor shall, prior to the adjournment of the 
convention in 1894, nominate five persons to be Supreme Tribunes, one to 
hold office until December 31, 1895, one till December 31, 1896, one till 
December 31, 1897, one till December 31, 1898, and one till December 31, 
1899. The Supreme Lodge shall act upon such nominations prior to its 
adjournment, when, if any nomination shall fail of confirmation of the 
affirmative vote of a majority of all the members of the Supreme Lodge, 
the Supreme Chancellor shall nominate and continue to make nominations 
until five nominees shall have been confirmed by the Supreme Lodge. 
The Supreme Chancellor shall also nominate, as provided in this section, 
one person to be Supreme Tribune for the term beginning January 1, 1896, 
which nomination shall be subject to confirmation by the Supreme Lodge 
in the manner provided in this section for the confirmation of such nomi- 
nations. 

136. At each succeeding biennial convention, the Supreme Chancellor, 
on the morning of the second day of the convention, shall nominate two 
persons to be Supreme Tribunes, one for a term of five years from the first 



Chap. IV.] STATUTES. 49 

day of January in the year succeeding such convention, and one for a term 
of five years from the first day of January of the second year succeeding 
such convention. Such nominations shall be subject to ratification bj'' the 
Supreme Lodge in the manner provided in the preceding section; and 
should such nominations or either of them fail of confirmation, the 
Supreme Chancellor shall nominate and continue to make nominations 
until two nominees shall have been confirmed by the Supreme Lodge. 

137. Should a vacancy occur in the membership of the Supreme 
Tribunal during the recess of the Supreme Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor 
shall fill such vacancy by the appointment of a Past Grand Chancellor in 
good standing, who shall hold said office until the next convention of the 
Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER III. 

RELATING TO THE SITTINGS OP THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL. 

138. The Supreme Tribunal shall hold at least one sitting annually, 
and such other sittings as it may find necessary for the dispatch of busi- 
ness. It shall determine for itself the times and places for its sittings, and 
give due notice thereof ; but the first sitting shall be held at Washington, 
D. C, within ten days from the election thereof. 

139. If, at any sitting, a quorum does not attend on the day appointed 
for holding it, the Tribunes who do attend, or the Recorder, may adjourn 
from day to day for five days after said appointed time, unless a quorum 
shall sooner appear. If a quorum does not attend within the five days^ 
the Tribunes attending may, within said five days, make all necessary 
orders in any matter or proceeding pending in or returned to said Supreme 
Tribunal preparatory to the hearing and decision thereof, and may fix the 
time and place for the next sitting of the Supreme Tribunal, and continue 
the business of the Supreme Tribunal over till the sitting so appointed; 
and if, during a sitting, after a quorum has assembled, less than a quorum 
attend on any day, the Tribunes in attendance may adjourn from day to 
day until a quorum appears, or may appoint a time and place for the next 
sitting and adjourn accordingly. 

140. The Supreme Tribunal shall have power and authority to arrange- 
for a suitable room in which to hold the sittings of said Tribunal, the 
expense incurred therefor to be paid for out 6i the proper fund provided 
or appropriated by the Supreme Lodge. 

CHAPTER IV. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE ENFORCEMENT OF THE JUDGMENTS AND DECREES OF 
THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL. 

141. The judgments and decrees of the Supreme Tribunal shall be bind- 
ing upon all the parties thereto. 

142. Should any party to a judgment or decree of the Supreme Tri- 
bunal fail or refuse to abide by and perform the same, the Supreme Chan- 



60 SUPREME [Title II, 

cellor shall prefer charges, or cause the same to be preferred, against such 
party. If the party so charged be an officer or member of the order, the 
same shall be preferred in the subordinate lodge of which he is a member; 
if a subordinate lodge, the charges shall be preferred in the Grand Lodge 
having jurisdiction of such lodge or in its Grand Tribunal, when it has 
one; if a subordinate lodge not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, or a 
Grand Lodge, the charges shall be preferred in the Supreme Lodge ; and 
in all cases the Supreme Chancellor shall prosecute the same to a final 
hearing. 

143. If any officer, member or lodge, Grand or subordinate, shall unlaw- 
fully interfere with, resist or obstruct the due execution or enforcement of 
a judgment or decree of the Supreme Tribunal, or aid or abet another in 
the commission of such offence, the Supreme Chancellor shall prefer 
cliarges, or cause the same to be preferred, against him or it, and prose- 
cute the same to a hearing. If the party charged be an officer or member, 
the charges shall be preferred in his subordinate lodge; if a subordinate 
lodge, in the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction over such lodge or in its 
Grand Tribunal, when it has one; if a Grand Lodge, or a subordinate 
lodge not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, the charges shall be pre- 
ferred in the Supreme Lodge. 

144. If any officer, member or lodge. Grand or subordinate, after con- 
viction upon a proceeding in the Supreme Tribunal for contempt, shall fail 
to purge himself or itself of such contempt, or fail or refuse to abide by 
and perform the judgment in such proceeding, the Supreme Chancellor 
shall prefer charges, or cause the same to be preferred, against the party 
so offending, and prosecute the same to a hearing. If the party charged 
be an officer or a member, the charges shall be preferred in the subordi- 
nate lodge of w^hich he is a member; if a subordinate lodge, to the Grand 
Lodge having jurisdiction of such lodge or in its Grand Tribunal, when it 
has one; if a Grand Lodge, or a subordinate lodge not within the domain 
of a Grand Lodge, the charges shall be preferred in the Supreme Lodge. 

145. In all eases, either party may be represented by counsel of his 
own selection, who shall be members of the order in good standing. 

146. In all cases, the charges preferred shall be in writing, and shall 
specify clearly and concisely the offence charged and in what it consists, 
with reasonable detail as to time, place and circumstances. A correct copy 
thereof shall be furnished the accused, and reasonable time given in which 
to prepare for defence. If a subordinate lodge, the copy shall be furnished 
the Chancellor Commander; if a Grand Lodge, its Grand Chancellor. In 
any case, the copy may be furnished by actual delivery to the accused, or 
by registered mail to the last known address of the party entitled thereto. 

147. Depositions of witnesses may be taken upon twenty days' notice 
of the time and place of the taking thereof given to the adverse party. 
Notice to a subordinate lodge shall be served on its Chancellor Commander; 
notice to a Grand Lodge upon its Grand Chancellor; notice to the Supreme 



Chap, v.] STATUTES. 51 

Chancellor may be served upon him, or upon the person through whom he 
has caused the charges to be preferred, or upon the agent or attorney who 
represents the prosecution. Notice in any case may be by personal service, 
or by registered mail to the last known address of the party entitled thereto. 

148. On the trial of such charges preferred in subordinate lodges or in 
Grand Lodges, the procedure shall be the same as that provided for on the 
trial of cases in such tribunal involving like penalties. On the trial of 
charges preferred in the Supreme Lodge, the procedure shall be the same 
as that pursued on the trial of other cases involving forfeiture of the char- 
ter of a Grand Lodge. 

149. The penalties imposed upon any parties convicted under the pro- 
visions of this chapter shall be as prescribed in sections 414 and 415, chap- 
ter i, title ix, Supreme Statutes. 

150. This statute shall not be construed to restrict in any way the 
right of any aggrieved member of the order to prefer and prosecute charges 
for any of the offences herein enumerated. 

151. From any final judgment in any of the cases provided for in the 
foregoing sections, either party sliall have the right of appeal. 

CHAPTER V. 

RELATING TO THE APPELLATE JUIIISDICTION OF THE SUPREME TRIBUNAL, AND 
REGULATING THE PROCEDURE THEREIN. 

152. Appeals, both as to law and fact, shall be allowed to the Supreme 
Tribunal from all final judgments or decrees of any Grand Lodge or Grand 
Tribunal, or of a subordinate lodge not within the domain of a Grana 
Lodge ; or from any final order, decision or decree of any Grand Chancelloi 
from which an appeal does not lie to his Grand Lodge ; or from any order 
affecting the rights of any party, made after a final decision or decree. 

153. Upon the appeal of any case, a complete authenticated transcript 
of the record shall be made, including the e^idence, and such entries and 
papers on file as may be necessary on the hearing of the appeal, and the 
same shall be transmitted by the officer having the original record in his 
custody and control to the Supreme Tribunal, within thirty days after the 
appeal is granted; provided that either the tribunal below or the Supreme 
Tribunal may order any original document or other evidence to be sent up, 
in addition to the copy of the record, or in lieu of a copy of a part thereof, 
and on such appeals no new evidence shall be received by the Supreme 
Tribunal. 

154. No judgment, decree, decision or order shall be reviewed on 
appeal in the Supreme Tribunal, unless such appeal be taken within sixty 
days after the making or entry of such final judgment, decision, decree or 
order; provided that, where a party entitled to appeal is an infant, an insane 
person or imprisoned, such appeal may be taken within sixty days after the 



62 SUPREME [Title II, 

judgment, decision, decree or order, exclusive of the term of such disability; 
and provided further that the Tribunal rendering the order, judgment or 
decree appealed from, if applied to during the term at which the same was 
rendered, may for good cause shown extend the time for taking the appeal 
for such period as in its judgment the ends of justice require. 

155. All final judgments, decisions, orders or decrees from which an 
appeal would lie may be reexamined and modified, reversed or affirmed in 
the Supreme Tribunal, upon a writ of error. 

156. To remove a cause to the Supreme Tribunal on writ of error, the 
party complaining shall file with the Recorder of the Supreme Tribunal an 
authenticated transcript of the whole record, together with an assignment 
in writing of the errors complained of, with a prayer for the relief desired. 
He shall give the adverse party twenty days' notice of the time and place 
of filing the same, and the notice thus served shall be in lieu of any furt'ner 
citation of the party upon whom it is served, and no writ of error need 
actually issue unless otherwise ordered by the Supreme Tribunal. Said 
assignment of errors and notice duly served upon the adverse party shall 
be annexed to the authenticated transcript, and shall be a necessary part 
of the record upon which the Supreme Tribunal may reexamine the cause 
removed thereto upon writ of error. 

157. No judirment, decision, decree or order shall be reviewed in the 
Supreme Tribunal on writ of error, unless the application therefor is made 
within six months after the making or entry of said judgment, decision, 
decree or order; provided that, where a party entitled to prosecute a writ 
of error is an infant, insane person or imprisoned, such writ may be prose- 
cuted within six months after the judgment, decision, decree or order, 
exclusive of the term of such disability. 

158. The Supreme Tribunal may at any time, in its discretion and 
upon such terms as it may deem just, allow an amendment of the proceed- 
ings whereby any cause is sought to be removed to the Supreme Tribunal 
by appeal or writ of error, if, in its judgment, the ends of justice require it. 

159. Upon the institution of proceedings in the Supreme Tribunal by 
writ of error, any member of the Supreme Tribunal may at chambers 
supersede the judgment, decision, decree or order complained of, if, upon 
examination of the transcript of the record and assignment of errors, he 
is of opinion that the ends of justice will be best subserved thereby. His 
order directing that the proceeding shall operate as a supersedeas shall be 
in writing, and the party complaining shall at once give the adverse party 
written notice of such order, accompanied with a certified copy of the 
order. 

160. The Supreme Tribunal may affirm, modify or reverse any judg- 
ment, decision, decree or order lawfully brought before it for review, or it 
may direct such further proceedings to be had by the inferior tribunal from 
which it came, as the justice of the case may require; or it may grant a 



Chap, v.] STATUTES. 53 

new trial and remand the cause in such cases as it may deem necessary and 
proper. 

161. The Supreme Tribunal shall have the power to grant a rehearing 
of any matter determined by it, for good cause shown. 

162. The Supreme Tribunal shall have power to issue all writs whicli 
may be necessary for the exercise of its jurisdiction, and to prescribe the 
forms of such writs and other process, and the mode of framing and filing 
proceedings and pleadings, taking and obtaining testimony, entering and 
enrolling decrees, and generally to regulate the whole practice in the 
Supreme Tribunal. 

163. In all cases pending in the Supreme Tribunal, the parties may 
plead and manage their own cases personally, or by the assistance of such 
counsel as by the rules of the Supreme Tribunal are permitted to conduct 
causes therein. 

164. When any cause has been removed to the Supreme Tribunal, 
and the record filed therein or any part thereof has been lost, mislaid or 
destroyed, the same may be supplied by order of the Supreme Tribunal 
authorizing it to be supphed by a duly certified copy of the original record, 
when the same can be obtained. If this can not be done, then the Supreme 
Tribunal may authorize it to be supplied in substance and effect from the 
best evidence obtainable. 

165. If in any case the transcript of the record filed in the Supreme 
Tribunal is not correct, or not full and complete, either party may suggest 
a diminution of the record, and ask the Supreme Tribunal for a certiorari 
directed to the tribunal below, to send up a more perfect record. Such 
suggestion must be supported by affidavit, stating the defect, unless it is 
apparent on the face of the record. 

166. The Supreme Tribunal, in its discretion, may, at any time and 
upon such terms as it deems just, allow an amendment of any process 
returnable before it, when the defect has not prejudiced and the amend- 
ment will not injure the party against whom such process issues. 

167. The Supreme Tribunal shall have power to impose and admin- 
ister all necessary obligations, and to punish by fine contempts of its 
authority; provided that such power to punish contempts shall not be con- 
strued to extend to any cases except misbehavior in the presence of the 
Supreme Tribunal, or so near thereto as to obstruct its business, the mis- 
behavior of any of the officers of the Supreme Tribunal in their official 
transactions, and the disobedience or resistance by any such officer, or by 
any party, witness or counsel, or other person, to any lawful writ, process, 
order, rule, decree or command of the Supreme Tribunal. 

168. The Supreme Tribunal may prescribe the forms of process and 
the methods of framing and filing proceedings and pleadings, taking testi- 
mony, entering decrees and collecting the fines, and shall have full power 



54 SUPREME [Title II, 

to regulate its practice in all proceedings for contempts and the punish- 
ment thereof. 

169. The fines imposed in such cases, when collected, shall be paid 
in^o the treasury of the Supreme Lodge by the Recorder of the Supreme 
Tribunal, within ten days after the adjournment of the Supreme Tribunal. 

CHAPTER VI. 

RELATING TO THE ORIGINAL AND EXCLUSIVE JURISDICTION OP THE SUPREME 
TRIBUNAL, AND REGULATING THE PROCEDURE THEREIN. 

170. The Supreme Tribunal shall have exclusive jurisdiction of all 
controversies between Grand Lodges. It shall have original but not 
exclusive jurisdiction, as provided in article ix, section 3, paragraph 2, of 
the Supreme Constitution. 

171. Whenever any member or body of the order may consider himself 
or itself entitled to reUef which the Supreme Tribunal is authorized to give 
under the constitution and laws of the order, he or it shall make a state- 
ment in writing, addressed to the Supreme Tribunal, setting forth the facts 
of the case and stating the relief asked for and the names of all parties who 
may be interested in the subject matter. Such statement, if made by a 
member, shall be verified by the pledge of honor of the party making it, 
to the effect that he believes that the statements therein made are true and 
accurate. If it be made on behalf of any body of the order, it shall be 
autlienticated by the seal of such body and by the signatures of its presid- 
ing and clerical officers. 

172. Said statement shall be filed with the Recorder of the Supreme 
Tribunal, who, without unnecessary delay, shall send a copy thereof, attested 
by him, to each person or Pythian body designated as a party defendant, 
together with a written notice that twenty days thereafter the cause therein 
described will be entered upon the docket of the Supreme Tribunal. 

173. On the day indicated in said notice, the Recorder shall enter said 
cause upon the docket of the Supreme Tribunal, and it shall thereafter be 
ready for hearing, except as hereinafter provided. If the parties defendant, 
or any of them, file answer to said complaint on or before that time, the 
Recorder shall forthwith send copies of such answer to the parties com- 
plainant by registered mail, and twenty days after receipt thereof either 
party may proceed to take evidence. No deposition shall be read in evi- 
dence on the hearing of any cause which shall not have been taken before 
a Past Chancellor of the order, after reasonable notice to the adverse parties 
of the time and place of taking the same. The notice required by this stat- 
ute shall be transmitted by registered letter, mailed to the last known 
address of the party to be affected. 

174. The Supreme Tribunal shall have power to prescribe from time to 
time, and in any manner not inconsistent with the laws of the order, the 



Chap, yi.] STATUTES. 55 

forms of writ and other process, the modes of framing and filing proceed- 
ings and pleadings, of taking and obtaining evidence, of drawing up, enter- 
ing and enrolling its decrees and judgments, and generally to regulate the 
whole practice to be used by it. 

175. All writs and processes issuing from the Supreme Tribunal shall 
be under the seal thereof and signed by its Recorder, and shall be attested 
of the date of issue thereof, and shall be served and returned in such man- 
ner as said Tribunal may prescribe by its rules and regulations, or as shall 
be provided by law. 

176. When causes of a like nature or relating to the same question are 
pending before the Supreme Tribunal, it may make such orders and rules 
concerning pi-oceedings therein as will best avoid unnecessary costs or delay 
in the administration of justice, and by consent of the parties may consoli- 
date such causes when it appears proper to do so. 

177. For good cause shown, the Supreme Tribunal may allow amend- 
ments to the proceedings in causes pending before it, either in the plead- 
ings or by the introduction of new parties, upon such conditions and under 
such restrictions as it may provide in its rules of procedure, or whenever it 
may be made to appear that the ends of justice require it. It may also, 
upon good cause shown, permit parties other than those already parties to 
the record to intervene and become parties thereto, upon it being made to 
satisfactorily appear that they are substantially interested in the subject 
matter of the controversy. 

178. No judgment shall be taken or decree entered by default within 
less than twenty days after it shall have been docketed in the Supreme 
Tribunal. After the cause shall have been docketed therein for twenty 
days, if the person or body complained of shall not have appeared and 
defended, the Supreme Tribunal shall proceed as if the complaint or the 
facts alleged in the petition were admitted; provided, however, that upon 
good cause shown, the Supreme Tribunal may extend the time for defence 
against the complaint; or, after judgment or decree entered by default, 
upon good cause shown and upon terms fixed by it, may set aside such 
judgment or decree and reopen it for proof, and upon the hearing thereof 
render such, judgment as to it may appear of right. 



56 SUPREME [Title III, 

TITLE III. 

GRAND LODGES. 
I. Organization. 
II. Warrants and charters. 

III. Constitution of new Grand Lodge, and laws for its subordinate lodges. 

IV. Reports and Supreme Representative tax. 

V. Filing of Past Grand Chancellors' certificates and Supreme Representatives' 

credentials. 
VI. Form of Past Grand Chancellor's certificates. 
VII. Deputy Grand Chancellors — their powers and duties. 
VIII. Funds — their disposal. 
IX. Supreme Representatives — their election or appointment ; credentials. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE MANNER OP ORGANIZING A GRAND LODGE. 

179. When the petition for the institution of a Grand Lodge has been 
duly approved, and the warrant therefor has been issued, the Supreme 
Chancellor shall designate the time and place for said institution. There- 
upon he shall cause the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal to notify 
every subordinate lodge located in the proposed domain of said Grand 
Lodge that, at the designated time and place, the Grand Lodge will be 
instituted, and to direct it to notify each of its Past Chancellors thereof. 

180. At the time and place designated in the notice described in the 
preceding section, the Supreme Chancellor or his duly authorized deputy 
shall call the meeting of Past Chancellors to order, and upon being satisfied, 
by proper credentials, that the Past Chancellors of ten or more lodges in 
such proposed domain are present and qualified, he shall confer the Grand 
Lodge rank upon said Past Chancellors, and organize a Grand Lodge by the 
election, by and from among them, of the ritualistic officers of a Grand 
Lodge. 

181. When the election of officers shall have been completed, the 
Supreme Chancellor or his authorized deputy, as the case may be, shall 
install the officers elect of said Grand Lodge, and declare such Grand Lodge 
duly instituted. The Grand Lodge shall thereupon elect two of its members 
Supreme Representatives. 

CHAPTER II. 

RELATING TO WARRANTS AND CHARTERS FOR GRAND LODGES. 

182. Whenever ten or more subordinate lodges exist in any state, 
territory, province or similar political division in which no Grand Lodge 
exists, such subordinate lodges may petition the Supreme Chancellor for 
the institution of a Grand Lodge. Each petition shall be under seal of the 
subordinate lodge, signed by the Chancellor Commander and attested by 
the Keeper of Records and Seal thereof, and shall be forwarded to the 
Supreme Chancellor through the Deputy Supreme Chancellor in charge of 



Chap. II.] STATUTES. 57 

such lodges. If ten or more subordinate lodges so petition, and the 
Supreme Chancellor determine to grant a warrant for the institution of 
such Grand Lodge, he shall cause the same to be prepared by the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, in form as follows: 

SUPREME LODGE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

To all whom it may concern: 

Know ye that I, , Supreme Chancellor of 

the Order of Knights of Pythias, hereunto duly authorized by the 
Supreme law, upon petition of the following named subordinate lodges, 
to-wit: [names, numbers and locations of lodges] do hereby grant unto the 
Past Chancellors in good standing in said lodges, upon whom the Grand 
Lodge Rank shall be conferred, this warrant, instituting and establishing 
them and their associates and successors as the Grand Lodge Knights of 

Pythias of , within and for the [here state the territory to 

be included in the domain], which shall be the domain of such Grand 
Lodge. 

The Grand Lodge established under this warrant is hereby invested 
with all the rights, powers and dignities, and charged with all the duties, 
obligations and liabilities, conferred and imposed upon Grand Lodges by 
the Supreme law of the order. 

This warrant may be suspended by the Supreme Chancellor, or sus- 
pended or revoked by the Supreme Lodge, in the manner provided by 
Supreme law; but unless so suspended or revoked, it shall be valid until 
vacated by the issue of a charter in lieu thereof. 

In witness whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the Supreme Lodge 
to be hereto affixed, and my signature to be attested by the Supreme 

Keeper of Records and Seal, this day of , 18 , 

P. P 



: Attest : Supreme Chancellor. 

SEAL OF : 

SUPREME : 

LODGE. : 



Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. 



If the Supreme Chancellor shall refuse to grant a warrant for the insti- 
tution of a Grand Lodge for which ten subordinate lodges have properly 
petitioned, then such subordinate lodges may, in the same manner, peti- 
tion the Supreme Lodge at its next convention. Should the Supreme 
Lodge grant the petition, the Supreme Chancellor shall thereupon issue a 
warrant for the institution of such Grand Lodge. 

183. A Grand Lodge working under a warrant may petition the 
Supreme Lodge for a charter. The petition, under seal, signed by the 
Grand Chancellor and attested by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, 
shall be presented to the Supreme Lodge in convention assembled, where- 
upon a charter may be granted or refused, as the Supreme Lodge may 
deem proper. If granted, a charter shall be issued immediately by the 



58 SUPREME [Title III, 

Supreme Chancellor, attested by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, 
and shall be in form as follows: 

SUPREME LODGE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

To all whom it may concern : 

Know ye that, whereas, the Past Chancellors, upon whom the Grand 
Lodge Rank had been conferred, from the following named subordinate 
lodges, to-wit: [names, numbers and locations of lodges] their associates 

and successors, were on the day of 18 , P. P. , 

under warrant lawfully issued, instituted and established as a Grand Lodge 
of the order; and whereas, such Grand Lodge has worthily exercised the 
high powers with which it was invested ; 

Now, therefore. The Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, the source of 
all authority in the order, reposing especial trust and confidence in such 
Grand Lodge, doth hereby grant this charter, fully establishing and con- 
firming it as the Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of , 

within and for the [here describe the territory included in domain] as its 
domain. 

All the privileges, powers, rights and dignities conferred upon Grand 
Lodges by the Supreme law of the order, and all the obligations, duties 
and requirements imposed thereby, shall be at all times possessed by and 
rest upon such Grand Lodge. 

This charter may be suspended by the Supreme Chancellor, or sus- 
pended or revoked by the Supreme Lodge, only in the manner provided by 
Supreme law. 

In witness whereof, we have caused this to be signed by the Supreme 
Chancellor and attested by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, and 

the Great Seal of the Supreme Lodge to be affixed, this day 

of , 18 , P. P 



• Attest : Supreme Chan cellar. 

SEAL OF : ^ 

SUPREME : 

'. . : Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. 



184. When the charter provided for in the preceding section shall 
have been received by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the Grand 
Lodge which applied therefor, all the rights of such Grand Lodge under its 
warrant shall cease and determine immediately. 

185. Should the charter of a Grand Lodge be lost or destroyed, the 
Supreme Chancellor, upon satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, 
shall cause to be issued a duplicate of said charter. 

186. No convention of a Grand Lodge shall be legal unless its warrant 
or charter shall have been displayed in the manner required by the Supreme 
Constitution. 

187. When a Grand Lodge shall have been declared regularly organized 
in any state, district, territory or province, the right of Pythian domain 



Chap. III.] STATUTES. 59 

over said state, district, territory or province shall immediately accrue to 
and become vested in such Grand Lodge, and thereafter no subordinate 
lodge shall have legal existence within that domain, unless it is recognized 
by and under the control of the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction there- 
over. 

188. Upon the formation of a new Grand Lodge, the subordinate 
lodges that take part in the organization thereof shall surrender to the 
Grand Lodge the dispensations or warrants under which they previously 
have been working, and shall receive in lieu thereof charters issued by the 
newly organized Grand Lodge. 

189. Should it be deemed necessary by the new Grand Lodge to 
renumber its subordinate lodges, the renumbering thereof must be done 
so that the seniority of their organization shall be preserved. The date of 
institution shall be the basis upon which seniority shall be determined; 
provided that, if it shall be found that two or more lodges were instituted 
upon the same date, their seniority may be determined in such manner as 
the Grand Lodge may prescribe. 

190. Whenever any Grand Lodge, instituted after the final passage of 
this statute, shall be reduced to less than ten constituent subordinate lodges 
making regular semi-annual reports; or whenever any Grand Lodge, 
instituted prior to the final passage of this statute, shall be reduced to less 
than five constituent subordinate lodges making regular semi-annual 
reports; then, in either of such cases, the powers and authority conferred 
by its warrant or charter shall cease and determine, and, upon the demand 
of the Supreme Chancellor, such warrant or charter, and all rituals, 
moneys, books, papers and other personal property belonging to such 
Grand Lodge, shall be delivered to him, and the subordinate lodges for- 
merly within the domain of such Grand Lodge, together with the territory 
thereof, shall become and be in all respects subject to the control of the 
Supreme Lodge, as if no Grand Lodge had existed. 

191. If a Grand Lodge shall fail to hold one convention in any calendar 
year, the Supreme Chancellor, upon being satisfied that such failure was 
without reasonable cause, may suspend the warrant or charter of such 
Grand Lodge until such order of suspension be vacated by the Supreme 
Lodge; provided that the Supreme Chancellor at his discretion may vacate 
such order of suspension. 

CHAPTER III. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE APPROVAL OF THE CONSTITUTION OF A NEW GRAND 
LODGE AND THE LAWS FOR ITS SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

192. The first constitution adopted for its government by a Grand Lodge 
hereafter instituted, and the first code of laws adopted for the government 
of its subordinate lodges, shall become operative and in force when submit- 
ted to and approved by the Supreme Chancellor, and not otherwise, except 
as provided in this statute. 



60 SUPKEME [Titl6 III, 

193. Immediately upon the adoption of such constitution and laws, the 
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of the Grand Lodge taking such action 
shall forward by registered mail to the Supreme Chancellor a certified copy 
thereof, for his examination and action thereon. If the Supreme Chancel- 
lor shall find such constitution and laws in accord with the Supreme law, 
he shall approve them as submitted to him, and certify such approval to 
the Grand Lodge from which they were received. If he shall find any por- 
tion thereof in conflict with the Supreme law, he shall certify his disap- 
proval of such portion, and refer to or cite the Supreme law with which the 
portions so disapproved are in conflict, and shall certify his approval of such 
constitution and laws as so modified. When approved in whole or in part, 
such constitution and laws shall become operative and in force as approved. 
If the Supreme Chancellor shall fail to return to the Grand Lodge from 
which they were received such constitution and laws within ninety days 
from the date upon which they were received by him, then they shall at 
once becom.e operative and in force without his approval. 

194. The fact that such constitution and laws have become operative 
and in force under the provisions of this statute shall not be a bar to pro- 
ceedings in which their conformity to the Supreme law may be called in 
question. 

CHAPTER IV. 

RELATING TO REPORTS AND SUPREME REPRESENTATIVE TAX OF GRAND 
LODGES — PENALTIES. 

195. It shall be the duty of each Grand Lodge, through its Grand 
Keeper of Records and Seal, to make out and forward to the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, on the blank furnished by him for that pur- 
pose, and in strict conformity to the forms therein prescribed, an annual 
report. Said report shall contain a statement of the membership of the 
order in the Grand Domain at the end of the preceding calendar year, 
including the additions thereto and the deductions therefrom during said 
year; a statement of the finances of the Grand Lodge and of its subordi- 
nate lodges during the same period; a list of the ritualistic officers of the 
Grand Lodge for the current Grand Lodge year; and a list of all Past 
Supreme Chancellors and Past Grand Chancellors in good standing in the 
Grand Domain, and of those who have withdrawn, died, been suspended or 
expelled during the preceding calendar year. Said report shall be forwarded 
by registered mail, in time to reach the office of the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal, on or before the first day of April of each j'^ear. 

196. Each Grand Lodge, through its Grand Keeper of Records and 
Seal, shall pay to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal the Supreme 
Representative tax due from such Grand Lodge, on or before the first day 
of April of each year. 

197. For every day which shall elapse between the first day of April 
and the date of the reception by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal 



Chap. VL] STATUTES. 61 

of a correct report and the proper amount of Supreme Eepresentative tax, 
the dehnquent Grand Lodge shall incur the penalty of one dollar; and 
said Grand Lodge shall not be allowed representation in the Supreme 
Lodge until the amount of Supreme Representative tax due, as well as the 
total amount of penalty incurred, shall have been paid. 

CHAPTER V. 

RELATING TO FORWARDING PAST GRAND CHANCELLORS' CERTIFICATES AND 
SUPREME REPRESENTATIVES' CREDENTIALS — PRESCRIBING PENALTIES FOR 
FAILURE TO DO SO. 

198. It shall be the duty of the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal to 
forward to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, by registered mail, 
a Past Grand Chancellor's certificate of the prescribed form, whenever a 
member of his Grand Lodge becomes entitled, under the law, to the honor 
of Past Grand Chancellor and to receive the Supreme Lodge Rank; and 
to forward to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, by registered mail, 
a Supreme Representative credential of the prescribed form, whenever a 
Past Grand Chancellor of his Grand Lodge is elected or appointed Supreme 
Representative. These documents must be forwarded so that the Past 
Grand Chancellor certificate shall reach the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal not later than thirty days before the next regular convention ol 
the Supreme Lodge, and so that the Supreme Representative credential 
shall reach him not later, than twenty days before the convention of the 
Supreme Lodge at which the Supreme Representative shall take his seat; 
and in case a Grand Keeper of Records and Seal fails or neglects to so for- 
ward them or either of them, a fine of one dollar per day for each day 
that the certificate or credential is delayed shall be assessed against and col- 
lected of the Grand Lodge of which the derelict Grand Keeper of Records 
and Seal is an officer, by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal; pro- 
vided that, if the convention of the Grand Lodge at which a member 
thereof attains the honor of Past Grand Chancellor shall be held within 
the thirty days immediately preceding a regular convention of the Supreme 
Lodge, or if the election or appointment of a Supreme Representative 
shall occur within the twenty days immediately preceding the convention 
of the Supreme Lodge at which the Supreme Representative shall take his 
seat, then and in those cases the filing of the certificate or credential with 
the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal before the third day of the suc- 
ceeding convention shall be a sufficient compliance with the provisions of 
this statute to avoid the penalty therein prescribed. 

CHAPTER VT. 

RELATING TO THE CERTIFICATES OF PAST GRAND CHANCELLORS, AND PRESCRIB- 
ING THE FORMS THEREOF. 

199. A condition precedent to the reception of the Supreme Lodge 
rank shall be the filing of a certificate with the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal, showing that the person desirous of receiving the rank did attain 



62 SUPREME [Title III, 

the honor of Past Grand Chancellor by service as a Grand Chancellor, or 
by having been elected as a Supreme Representative at the institution of a 
new Grand Lodge. 

200. When the honor of Past Grand Chancellor is claimed to have 
been attained by service as a Grand Chancellor, the certificate shall be in 
form as follows : 

PAST GRAND CHANCELLOR CERTIFICATE. 

{By Service.) 

GRAND LODGE OF . 

To the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias: 

This certifies that was duly installed Grand Chancellor 

of this Grand Lodge, on the day of , 18 , P. P. , 

and served as such until the installation of his successor at the end of his 

official term, on the day of — , 18 — , P. P. , and 

became thereby entitled to the honor of Past Grand Chancellor. 

Witness the seal of this Grand Lodge and the signature of the Grand 

Chancellor, attested by its Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, this 

day of , 18 — , P. P 



: SEAL OF ; 

: GRAND : 
: LODGE. : 



Attest: Gi^and Chancellor. 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 



201. When the honor of Past Grand Chancellor is claimed to have been 
attained by virtue of election as Supreme Representative at the institution 
of a new Grand Lodge, the certificate shall be in form as follows: 

PAST GRAND CHANCELLOR CERTIFICATE. 

{By Election as Supreme Representative.) 

GRAND LODGE OF . 

To the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias : 

This certifies that this Grand Lodge was instituted on the day of 

, 18 — , P. P. , and that is one of the 

two members thereof who were on that date elected as Supreme Repre- 
sentatives, and that as such he became entitled to the honor of Past Grand 
Chancellor. 

Witness the seal of this Grand Lodge and the signature of its Grand 

Chancellor, attested by its Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, this 

day of , 18 , P. P 



SEAL OP 
GRAND 
LODGE. 



Attest: Grand Chancellor. 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 



Chap. IX.] STATUTES. 63 

202. The certificates provided for by this statute must be signed by the 
Grand Chancellor and the Grand Keeper of Eecords and Seal in authentica- 
tion of the correctness of the declarations therein contained, and have the 
seal of the Grand Lodge affixed. 

203. The Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall issue the forms 
necessary for carrying into efiect the provisions of this statute. 

CHAPTER VII. 

RELATING TO DEPUTY GRAND CHANCELLORS, THEIR POWERS AND DUTIES. 

204. A Grand Lodge may authorize the appointment of Deputy Grand 
Chancellors, and assign to them such powers and duties as it may by law 
provide, subject to the provisions of this statute. 

205. A Deputy Grand Chancellor shall be deemed the representative 
of the Grand Chancellor by whom he is appointed, and shall be accountable 
to him for the manner in which his duties may be discharged. 

206. No power or duty delegated or assigned to a Deputy Grand 
Chancellor shall be assigned or delegated by him to any other person 
whomsoever, except that he may appoint another Past Chancellor to 
install the officers of a subordinate lodge whom it is his official duty to 
install. 

207. The term of office of a Deputy Grand Chancellor shall expire with 
the term of the Grand Chancellor by whom he is appointed, unless his 
commission be sooner revoked. 

CHAPTER VIII. 

RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL OF THE FUNDS OF A GRAND LODGE. 

208. The manner in which the funds of a Grand Lodge shall be dis- 
posed of, and the purposes to which they shall be applied, are matters 
entirely within the discretion of the Grand Lodge, save and except that 
such funds shall not be used for any purpose inconsistent with the laws, 
principles and purposes of the order, and shall not be partitioned or divided 
among the members of a Grand Lodge; and that, in case a Grand Lodge 
from any cause shall cease to exist, its funds shall revert to the Suprem: 
Lodge. 

CHAPTER IX. 

TO REGULATE THE ELECTION OR APPOINTMENT AND TERMS OP SUPREME REP- 
RESENTATIVES, AND TO PRESCRIBE THEIR CREDENTIALS. 

209. There shall be elected by each Grand Lodge, in the year 1895 and 
in each odd-numbered year thereafter, in the same manner as Grand Lodge 
officers are elected, one Supreme Representative, who shall be known as a 
Supreme Representative at large, and whose term shall continue for four 
years from the first day of January following such election. 



64 SUPREME [Title III, 

210. Any Grand Lodge hereafter organized shall, at the time of its 
institution, elect while in convention assembed two Supreme Representa- 
tives, who shall be known as Supreme Representatives at large. The terms 
of the Supreme Representatives so elected shall be, one for two years and 
one for four years from the first day of January of the first even-numbered 
year following such election. 

211. Whenever the regular semi-annual reports from the subordinate 
lodges within the domain of a Grand Lodge, for the term ending December 
31st of the preceding year, shall show the total membership of such 
subordinate lodges to equal or exceed full ten thousand members, then such 
Grand Lodge shall be entitled to one additional Supreme Representative 
for such full ten thousand members; provided that no Grand Lodge shall 
be entitled to more than five Supreme Representatives. 

212. If the right of a Grand Lodge to the additional representation 
provided for in this chapter shall accrue upon the reports of its subordi- 
nate lodges for the term ending December 31st of an even-numbered year, 
then the additional Supreme Representative shall be elected by the Grand 
Lodge in the following year. 

213. If the right of a Grand Lodge to the additional representation 
provided for in this chapter shall accrue upon the reports of its subordi- 
nate lodges for the term ending December 31st of an odd-numbered year, 
then, if a convention of the Supreme Lodge is to be held prior to the 
regular convention of such Grand Lodge in the following even-numbered 
year, such additional Supreme Representative shall be appointed at once 
by the Grand Chancellor of such Grand Lodge; but if a regular conven- 
tion of such Grand Lodge is to be held prior to the next convention of the 
Supreme Lodge, then such additional Supreme Representative shall be 
elected by the Grand Lodge. 

214. So long as a Grand Lodge shall continue, under the provisions of 
this chapter, entitled to additional representation, such Grand Lodge, in 
1895 and in each odd-numbered year thereafter, shall elect additional 
Supreme Representatives to fill vacancies caused by the expiration, on the 
31st day of December next ensuing, of the terms of additional Supreme 
Representatives theretofore elected or appointed. 

215. The term of a new additional Supreme Representative elected in 
an odd-numbered year shall be for four years from the first day of January 
following such election; provided that, if the Grand Lodge by which such 
election is had already has one or more additional Supreme Representa- 
tives, then such term shall be for four years or for two years from the first 
day of January following the election, as will most nearly secure the 
expiration of the terms of one-half the whole number of Supreme Repre- 
sentatives from such Grand Lodge on the 31st day of December of each 
odd-numbered year. 



Chap. IX.] STATUTES. 65 

316. The term of an additional Supreme Representative elected in an 
even-numbered year shall be ior three years from the first day of January 
following such election; provided that if the Grand Lodge by which such 
election is had already has one or more additional Supreme Representa- 
tives, then such term shall be for three years or for one year from the first 
day of January following such election, as will most nearly secure the 
expiration of the terms of one-half the whole number of Supreme Repre- 
sentatives from such Grand Lodge on the 31st day of December of each 
odd-numbered year. 

217. If a vacancy among the Supreme Representatives of a Grand 
Lodge shall occur by reason of the death, resignation or inability of a 
Supreme Representative, or by reason of the failure of a Supreme Repre- 
sentative to maintain good standing in his Grand Lodge and in a subordi- 
nate lodge within its domain, or by reason of the acceptance by a Supreme 
Representative of any office in his Grand Lodge, or by reason of the 
removal of the actual and bona fide residence of a Supreme Representative 
from within the domain of his Grand Lodge, or by reason of any other 
cause, except the expiration of the term of a Supreme Representative, then 
such vacancy shall be filled by appointment by the Grand Chancellor of 
such Grand Lodge, and such appointment shall be until the next ensuing 
convention of such Grand Lodge, when the vacancy shall be filled, for the 
remainder of the term in which the vacancy exists, by the Grand Lodge 
in convention assembled. 

218. It shall be the true intent and purpose of this chapter to secure 
to each Grand Lodge a number of Supreme Representatives equal to two 
Supreme Representatives at large and one additional Supreme Representa- 
tive for each full ten thousand members of the subordinate lodges within 
its domain on the 31st day of December of the odd-numbered year imme- 
diately preceding a convention of the Supreme Lodge, and no more ; and 
further that, so nearly as may be, the terms of one-half the whole num- 
ber of Supreme Representatives from any Grand Lodge shall expire on the 
31st day of JDecember of each odd-numbered year; provided that no Grand 
Lodge shall be entitled to more than five Supreme Representatives. 

219. Every elected Supreme Representative, before his admission to 
the Supreme Lodge as such, shall be required to file with the Supreme 
Reeper of Records and Seal a credential in form as follows: 

SUPREME representative's CREDENTIAL. 

{By election.) 

GRAND LODGE OF — . 

To the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias: 

This is to certify that P. G. C . . has 

been elected by this Grand Lodge a Supreme Representative from this 

Grand Lodge, to serve from the 1st day of January, 18 — , P. P. ,, 

until the 31st day of December, 18 — , P. P He is a member in 



G6 SUPREME [Title III, 

good standing of tiiis Grand Lodge and of a subordinate lodge within its 
domain; he is not the holder of any office in this Grand Lodge, and he is 
an actual and bona fide resident within its domain. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature and caused 
the same to be attested by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, and the 

seal of this Grand Lodge to be affixed, this day of , 

18 — , P. P 



SEAL OF : Attest: Grand Chancellor. 

GRAND : 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 



This credential shall be issued in duplicate. One copy thereof shall be 
furnished to the Supreme Representative, and the other copy shall be for- 
warded by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal to the Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal, as provided by title iii, chapter v, Supreme Statutes. 

220. Every appointed Supreme Representative, before his admission 
to the Supreme Lodge as such, shall be required to file with the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal a credential in form as follows: 

SUPREME representative's CREDENTIAL. 
{By appointment.) 

GRAND LODGE OP . 

To the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias: 

This is to certify that, whereas [here state the reasons why an appoint. 

naent is necessary], now, therefore, P. G. C. 

has been duly appointed by me a Supreme Representative from this Grand 
Lodge, to serve from the date hereof until [either the 31st of December fol- 
lowing, or until the next convention of the Grand Lodge, as the case may 
be]. He is a member in good standing of this Grand Lodge and of a sub- 
ordinate lodge within its domain; he is not the holder of any office in this 
Grand Lodge, and is an actual and bona fide resident within its domain. 

In witness whereof, I have hereunto affixed my signature and caused 
the same to be attested by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, and the 

seal of this Grand Lodge to be affixed, this day of , 

18 , P. P. 



SEAL OF : Attest: Grand Chancellor. 

GRAND : 

LODGE. : 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 



This credential shall be issued in duplicate. One copy thereof shall be 
furnished to the Supreme Representative, and the other copy shall be for- 
warded by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal to the Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal, as provided by title iii, chapter v, Supreme Statutes. 



Chap. I.] STATUTES. 67 

TITLE IV. 

SUBORDINATE LODGES. 



GENERAL PROVISIONS. 

I. Institution. 
11. Nomination and election of officers— vacancies. 

III. Ranks of knighthood— their attainment. 

IV. Dues, assessments and tines. 
V. Good standing. 

VI. Transfer card— issuance and use. 

VII. Withdrawal, Grand and subordinate lodge cards— their issuance and use. 
VIII. Reinstatement to membership, after suspension for non-payment of dues. 
IX. Status of members suspended for cause— their reinstatement. 
X. Funeral benefits. 
XI. Presitliiig officer— selection of, in absence of Chancellor Commander and Vice 

Chancellor. 
XII. Keeper of Records and Seal to notify Board of Control of all expulsions and 
suspensions. 

XIII. Members not to resort to the civil courts. 

LODGES WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF A GRAND LODGE. 

XIV. Provisions for warrants and charters— their issuance, suspension and revocation. 
XV. Fees for membership. 

XVI. Funds— their disposal. 

LODGES NOT WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF A GRAND LODGE. 

XVII. Petitions and warrants. 
XVIII. Miscellaneous. 
XIX. Fees for membership. 
XX. Funds— their disposal. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO REGULATE THE INSTITUTION OF SUBORDINATE LODGES. 

221. When a petition for a subordinate lodge within the domain of a 
'Grand Lodge shall have been granted and a warrant issued therefor, the 
Grand Chancellor shall designate the time and place at which said subordi- 
nate lodge shall be instituted, and shall cause the Grand Keeper of 
Records and Seal officially to notify the petitioners that, at that time and 
place, such subordinate lodge will be instituted. At the time and place 
designated in the notice, the Grand Chancellor or his duly authorized 
deputy, as the case maybe, having examined the hall and satisfied himself 
himself that it is adapted for conferring the ranks, shall call the meeting 
of the petitioners to order, and, in case of a deputy, shall read his commis- 
sion as instituting officer. He shall also read the petition for the institution 
of the lodge, call the list of names upon said petition, and satisfy himself 
of the identity of each person answering such roll-call. 

222. When a petition for a subordinate lodge in territory not within 
the domain of a Grand Lodge shall have been granted, and a warrant issued 
therefor, the Supreme Chancellor shall designate the time and place at 



68 SUPREME [Title IVy 

which said subordinate lodge shall be instituted, and shall cause the 
Supreme Keeper of Records aud Seal officially to notify the petitioners that, 
at that time and place, such subordinate lodge will be instituted. At the 
time and place designated in the notice, the Supreme Chancellor, or his 
duly authorized deputy, as the case may be, having examined the hall and 
satisfied himself that it is adapted for conferring the ranks, shall call the 
meeting of the petitioners to order, and, in the case of a deputy, shall read 
his commission as instituting officer, and shall also read the petition for the 
institution of the lodge, call the list of names upon said petition, and satisfy 
himself ol the identity of each person answering such roll-call. 

223. The instituting officer shall then collect from all of the petitioners 
who are not already members of the order the fees for the three ranks, 
which shall not be less than ten. dollars in the currency of the United 
States of America, or its equivalent in the currency of the country in 
which the lodge is located. 

224:. He will then require the applicants to vote by secret ball ballot 
on each name on the list, beginning with the last. He may, however, at 
his discretion allow a single ballot to be taken for the entire list, having 
previously notified the applicants that if two black balls (or one black ball, 
if the local law requires only that number to reject) shall appear on the gen- 
eral ballot, a separate ballot will be required on each name. If the general 
ballot be "fair," he shall declare all the applicants elected. If two black 
balls (or one, as above) appear, he will then require a separate ballot as 
above directed. Should any be rejected, he shall return the fees paid by 
such rejected persons. 

225. The instituting officer will then exclude from the hall all who 
are not in possession of the S. A. P. W., and proceed to confer the ranks of 
knighthood upon the several petitioners who have been elected thereto. 

226. In conferring the ranks, precedence shall be given. to those of the 
petitioners who at a preliminary meeting may have be?n selected as the 
first officers of the lodge. 

227. When the ranks of knighthood shall have been conferred upon 
at least those of the petitioners who may have been previously chosen as 
officers, the instituting officer may proceed to hold the election of othcers 
for said subordinate lodge for the current term. 

228. The bonds of the bonded officers having been approved by vote 
of the petitioners, the instituting officer shall install the officers elected and 
those subsequently appointed. 

229. The instituting officer shall then officially declare the lodge duly 
instituted, and deliver to the Chancellor Commander the warrant therefor. 

230. The instituting officer shall then pay over to the Master of Ex- 
chequer of the lodge the entire amount received as rank fees from the 
petitioners, taking a receipt therefor. 



Chap. II.] STATUTES. 69 

231. As soon as practicable after the institution of the lodge, the 
instituting officer shall forward to the Supreme Keeper of Records and 
Seal, or to the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, as the case may be, a 
report showing: 

(1) The name, number and location of the lodge, together with a list 
of its officers and the date of its institution. 

(2) The number of petitioners for the institution of the lodge, and the 
number on whom the ranks were conferred. 

(3) A list of the names of the apphcants rejected on ballot. 

CHAPTER II. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE NOMINATION, ELECTION AND INSTALLATION OF THE 
OFFICERS OF SUBORDINATE LODGES, AND FOR FILLING VACANCIES. 

232. The words "office" and "officer," as used in this chapter, shall 
apply to such offices and officers as are designated in the ritual for subordi- 
nate lodges, and to no others. . 

233. Any knight in good standing in a subordinate lodge shall be 
eligible to any office in the lodge of which he is a member. 

234. Nominations. of candidates for an elective office of a subordinate 
lodge may be made at any time prior to the ballotting for such candidates. 

235. All elective officers of a subordinate lodge shall be separately 
•elected by majority vote upon written ballot. 

236. The regulations which maybe prescribed by the respective Grand 
Lodges for the conduct of elections in subordinate lodges shall, in all cases, 
be strictly observed, and all such elections not so conducted shall be null 
a,nd void. 

237. Except as hereinafter provided, all officers of a subordinate 
lodge shall be installed at the first stated meeting of the term for which 
they are to serve; provided that all requirements of the Grand Lodge 
relative thereto have been complied with, and provided also that no such 
officer shall be installed unless he be in good standing and has fully paid 
to his lodge all dues and claims of whatsoever nature then accrued. If 
^ny officer elect shall be disqualified for installation, or shall be absent at 
the time designated for installation, the installing officer, unless such 
absence be excused by formal vote of the lodge, shall declare a vacancy in 
the office, which vacancy shall at once be filled by election. No officer shall 
assume the duties of his office until he has been regularly installed. Any 
officer elect who may be absent from the regular installation, and whose 
absence shall be excused by his lodge, may be installed at a subsequent meet- 
ing, at the convenience of the lodge and of the installing officer. Should 
the installation for any cause not be held at the meeting herein designated, 
then it shall take place at the earliest meeting thereafter which the con- 
venience of the lodge and of the installing officer will allow, but in such 



70 SUPREME [Title IVy 

case the Keeper of Records and Seal shall notify all officers elect to be pres- 
ent at such meeting. All installations of the officers of a subordinate 
lodge shall be by authority of the Supreme Lodge or of its Grand Lodge, 
and shall be conducted by the Supreme Chancellor or the Grand Chan- 
cellor or by a deputy duly commissioned therefor by such authority, and 
only in the manner and form prescribed by the Supreme Lodge in the 
installation service established for subordinate lodges. 

238. Vacancies in office, by whatsoever cause produced, shall be filled 
in the manner of the original selection, and such officers shall be installed 
at the earliest convenience of the lodge and of the installing officer. 
Officers so chosen and installed shall hold office for the remainder of the 
official term, and shall, upon the installation of their successors, or upon 
installation as their own successors, and not otherwise, be deemed to have 
served the full term, and in the case of the Chancellor Commander shall 
be entitled to the honor of Past Chancellor. 

CHAPTER III. 

TO REGULATE THE ATTAINMENT OP THE RANKS OF KNIGHTHOOD. 

239. The conditions of eligibility to apply for the ranks of knighthood, 
and the manner in which such ranks, or any of them, may be attained, 
shall be as prescribed in this chapter, and not otherwise. 

240. An applicant for the ranks of knighthood must possess the follow- 
ing qualifications : 

Par. 1. He must be a white male. 

Par. 2. He must be of good moral character. 

Par. 3. He must be not less than twenty-one and not more than fifty 
years of age, except that a person more than fifty years of age may become 
eligible by dispensation. 

Par. 4. He must be a believ^er in a Supreme Being. 

Par. 5. He must be in good health and sound in mind and body, except 
that a maimed person may become eligible by dispensation. 

Par. 6. He must be able to read and write. 

Par. 7. He must not be engaged in either of the occupations known as 
professional gambler, saloon-keeper, bar-tender, or retail dealer in spirituous 
liquors, wine, ale or beer (except as a bona fide hotel-keeper or druggist). 

Par. 8. He must believe in the maintenance of order and the upholding 
of constituted authority in the government in which he lives. 

Par. 9. He must not have been rejected by any subordinate lodge as an 
applicant for the ranks of knighthood within the six months preceding his 
application. 

241. Any person eligible under the provisions of the preceding section 
may make application for the ranks of knighthood to any subordinate lodge 
within whose territorial jurisdiction he has his actual residence, pro^dded 



Chap. III.] STATUTES. 71 

that he shall have resided within the domain for the preceding six months, 
and provided further that, if the subordinate lodge to which he makes 
application be not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, he shall have 
resided for the preceding six months within the state, territory, district or 
province in which such subordinate lodge is located. 

242. Par. 1. If a person desires to apply to a subordinate lodge other 
than the one in whose territorial jurisdiction he resides, but in the same 
Grand Domain, such application must be accompanied by the permission 
of a lodge within whose territorial jurisdiction he has his residence. 

Par. 2. If a person desires to apply to a subordinate lodge in a Grand 
Domain other than the one in which he resides, or to a subordinate lodge 
not within a Grand Domain, then his application must be accompanied by 
the permission of the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain within which 
he resides. 

Par. 3. If a resident of territory not within a Grand Domain, but in a 
different state, territory, province or country from that in which the lodge 
to which he desires to apply is located, then his application must be accom- 
panied by the permission of the Supreme Chancellor. 

243. The application shall state the age, race, residence and occupa- 
tion of the applicant; and shall aver that he is in aU respects eligible ta 
admission under the provisions of the Supreme law, and shall be in form 
as follows : 

To Lodge, No. , Knights of Pythias of : 



I respectfully apply for the ranks of knighthood and for member- 
ship in your lodge and in the order of Knights of Pythias. I declare 
upon honor that I am a white male; that I am of good moral character;, 

that I was years of age on the day of . 

last past; that I am a believer in a Supreme Being; that I am in- 
good health and sound in mind and body; that I am able to read 
and write; that I am not engaged in either of the occupations known, 
as professional gambler, saloon-keeper, bar-tender or retail dealer in 
spirituous liquors, wine, ale or beer (except as a bona fide hotel-keeper 
or druggist) ; that I believe in the maintenance of order and the upholding 
of constituted authority in the government in which I live; and that I have 
not been rejected as an applicant for the ranks of knighthood, within the- 
six months preceding the date of this application. 

I have been an actual and bona fide resident of this state [territory, dis- 
trict, province] continuously during the past six months. 

My occupation is — ; place of business, _; 

postofiice address, 

If this application be granted, I promise a full and faithful observance 
of all the laws that may govern your lodge and the order. 

I have carefully read the law as printed on the back hereof. 

The fee of $ accompanies this application. 



72 SUPREME [ Title IV, 

Written and signed by my own hand, this day of , 

18 

[Signed] 



On the back of this application shall be printed the section of this 
chapter prescribing the qualifications of membership, 

244. Such application shall be signed in the applicant's own hand- 
writing, and endorsed by two members of the lodge in good standing, who 
have attained the rank of Knight, and must be accompanied by the pre- 
scribed fee. If the lodge so require, such application must be accompanied 
by the certificate of a physician, approved by the lodge, as to the health of 
the applicant. Except as provided in this and the preceding sections, no 
apjDlication for the ranks of knighthood shall be received or considered by 
a lodge of the order. 

245. Such application may be received at any stated convention of 
the lodge, and shall be referred to an investigating committee of three 
members who have attained the rank of Knight, neither of whom shall 
have recommended the applicant. The committee shall take such meas- 
ures as they may deem needful, or as may be directed by law, to ascertain 
the qualifications and fitness of the applicant for the ranks of knighthood, 
and shall report to the lodge at a subsequent stated convention, except as 
otherwise authorized by dispensation, with recommendation for the accept- 
ance or rejection of the applicant. 

246. Upon the report of the investigating committee, whether favor- 
able or otherwise, such application shall be ballotted upon by secret bail 
ballot. Should all the ballots cast be white, or not more than one of them 
be a black ball, the applicant shall be declared elected to receive all the 
ranks of knighthood ; but should three or more black balls appear, he shall 
be declared rejected. In case only two black balls appear upon the first 
ballot, the ballot must be renewed immediately, and if upon the second 
ballot all the ballots cast be white, or not more than one black ball appear, 
the applicant shall be declared elected to receive all the ranks of knight- 
hood; but if two or more black balls appear upon the second ballot, the 
applicant shall be declared rejected. Cubes shall be deemed to be black 
balls within the meaning of this section. Grand Lodges may so legislate 
as to prescribe that one black ball may reject, but shall not increase the 
number required to reject to more than two. 

247. Before the commencement of a secret ball ballot, the ballot box 
shall be presented by the Master at Arms to the Chancellor Commander 
and the Vice Chancellor for inspection, and such oflicers shall satisfy them- 
selves that the inner depository of such ballot box is empty. Upon the 
completion of the ballot, the ballot box shall be presented to the Vice 
Chancellor at his station, and the result of such ballot shall be announced 
by him to the Chancellor Commander. The ballot box shall then be pre- 
sented to the Chancellor Commander, and if the ballot is found to be as 
announced by the Vice Chancellor, the result thereof shall be declared to 



Ohap. III.] STATUTES. 73 

the lodge by the Chancellor Commander, as in this chapter hereinbefore 
provided. Should the Chancellor Commander and Vice Chancellor dis- 
agree as to the result of the ballot, the ballot box shall be presented to the 
Prelate at his station, and he shall inspect the same and announce to the 
Chancellor Commander the result of the ballot. The decision of the Prel- 
ate in such case sliall be final, and the result as announced by the Prelate 
shall be declared by the Chancellor Commander to the lodge. The number 
of black balls appearing upon any ballot shall in no case Ue declared by 
either of the officers to whom the ballot box may have been presented for 
inspection as in this section hereinbefore provided. 

248. If, after the election of an applicant to receive the ranks of 
knighthood and before either of such ranks has been conferred upon him, 
two or more members of the lodge shall file with the Chancellor Com- 
mander written objections to his admission, the Chancellor Commander, 
without disclosing the names of the objectors, shall announce such objec- 
tions in open lodge, and such announcement shall be entered upon the 
records of the lodge, whereupon the initiation of the candidate shall be 
stayed. Should the objections be withdrawn by the members filing them, 
within thirty days thereafter, then such withdrawal shall be entered upon 
the records of the lodge, and the stay of initiation shall be vacated, where- 
upon the candidate may receive the ranks of knighthood as if no objections 
had been filed. If the objections be not so withdrawn, they shall operate 
as black balls, and at the first meeting after the expiration of such thirty 
days the Chancellor Commander shall declare the applicant rejected. If 
similar objection to the advancement of a member who has not attained 
the rank of Esquire or Knight be filed, the Chancellor Commander shall 
make like announcement, which shall be entered upon the records of the 
lodge and the advancement of the member shall be stayed. If the objec- 
tions be withdrawn by the members filing them, within thirty days there- 
after, then such withdrawal shall be entered upon the records of the lodge, 
and the stay of advancement shall be vacated, whereupon the member shall 
receive the ranks of knighthood not already attained as if no objections had 
been filed. If the objections be not so withdrawn, then after the expiration 
of such thirty days, a secret ball ballot shall be taken in the manner pro- 
vided in sections 246 and 247 of this chapter, when, if the result be favor- 
able, the member may be advanced as if no objections had been filed; but, 
if the result of such ballot be unfavorable, all fees paid by the member for 
ranks not already attained by him shall be at once returned, and his 
-advancement shall be permanently stayed ; provided that after six months 
from the date of such permanent stay, the member, if in good standing in 
the lodge, may apply for advancement, accompanying his application with 
the amount of the fee then required by law, and such application shall be 
subject to mvestigation and ballot as provided in sections 245 and 246 of 
this chapter, when, if the result be favorable, the permanent stay shall be 
vacated and the member shall receive the ranks of knighthood not already 
.attained as if no objections had been filed ; but, if the ballot be unfavorable. 



74 SUPREME [Title IVy 

the Chancellor Commander shall declare the member rejected for advance- 
ment, and no other application for advancement shall be received from such 
member until the expiration of six months from the date of such rejection. 

249. No ballot upon an application for the ranks of knighthood shall 
at any time be reconsidered nor renewed, except as provided in sections 246> 
and 248 of this chapter. 

250. If an application for the ranks of knighthood be rejected, all 
fees received from the applicant for ranks shall be at once returned to him. 

251. No application shall be withdrawn, except by consent of the 
lodge, given by the vote of a majority of the members present, nor at all 
after the report of the investigating committee has been read to the lodge. 
No discussion of the result of a ballot or of the merits or demerits of a 
candidate shall be permitted at any time after such ballot, either in the 
lodge or out of it; nor shall any member of the order disclose, directly or 
indirectly, either the report of the investigating committee or the character 
of any vote supposed to have been cast upon such ballot. 

252. A subordinate lodge may confer the ranks of Esquire and Knight, 
or either of them, upon a member of the order who has attained the rank 
of Page or Esquire in another lodge, upon the request of such other lodge 
under seal. The subordinate lodge which shall have conferred a rank in ac- 
cordance with this section shall immediately notify the lodge which pre- 
ferred the request therefor, of the date upon which such rank was 
conferred. Upon receipt of such notice, record thereof shall be made 
upon the books of the lodge receiving it. 

253. One week must elapse between the conferring of any two ranks 
upon the same person, except at the first four conventions of a new lodge, 
and except as otherwise permitted by dispensation. 

254. No rank shall be conferred until the fee therefor has been paid, 
and no portion of such fee shall be refunded, donated or returned, directly 
or indirectly, except as provided in this chapter. 

255. A subordinate lodge shall not ballot upon an application for the 
ranks of knighthood at the same convention at which it was received^ 
except upon written dispensation therefor. 

256. The Chancellor Commander at his pleasure may call any knight 
to the chair to assist in conferring any rank of knighthood ; or, by consent 
of the lodge, he may assign the work to a team organized or drilled for such 
work, a part or all of whom may be members of other lodges; provided that 
the lodge shall remain under the control of its Chancellor Commander or 
one of its officers legally qualified to preside; but the S. A. P. ^Y. must be 
communicated only by the Chancellor Commander or (in his absence) by 
the Vice Chancellor of the lodge. 



Chap. IV.] STATUTES. . 75 

CHAPTER IV. 

TO REGULATE AND CONTROL THE IMPOSITION AND PAYMENT OF DUES, ASSESS- 
MENTS AND FINES. 

257. Every member of the order of Knights of Pythias may be 
required to pay to his subordinate lodge fixed sums of money at regular and 
at the end of stated periods. The amounts so payable, and the dates of the 
lodge conventions when they shall become due, shall be determined by each 
subordinate lodge, subject to the enactments of its Grand Lodge and the 
Supreme Lodge. Such moneys shall be known as dues. 

258. All dues shall begin from the date of initiation as Page, or of affili- 
ation by transfer card, withdrawal card. Grand Lodge card or Supreme 
Lodge card. Different rates of dues may be required from members of the 
different ranks of kighthood, as each subordinate lodge may enact, but the 
payment of dues shall not be required before the end of the stated periods 
for which they are payable, except that, if a member receive a transfer 
card, he shall be charged with dues pro rata for ninety days beyond the 
date of such application; or, if he apply for a withdrawal card, he shall be 
charged with dues pro rata up to the date of the granting of such card. 

259. A member shall be in arrears when his dues, accrued at the end 
of a period for which the same are payable, remain unpaid at midnight 
of the last day of such period. A subordinate lodge may coUect dues in 
advance, but a member shall not be deemed in arrears or deprived of bene- 
fits or of the S. A. P. W. because of failure to make such payment in 
advance; provided, that Grand Lodges may by law prescribe that members 
whose dues are not paid in advance shall not be entitled to benefits. 

260. Subordinate lodges shall, subject to the Supreme law and the 
legislation of their respective Grand Lodges, provide for the prompt collec- 
tion of the dues of their members. 

261. Subordinate lodges may, subject to the Supreme law and the 
legislation of their respective Grand Lodges, provide for the imposition of 
fines and assessments upon their members, which fines and assessments 
shall become due and payable upon the next succeeding date for the pay- 
ment of dues, and their non-payment at such date shall thereupon render 
the member in arrears and subject to all the provisions of this chapter; 
provided that fines and assessments imposed within one month preceding 
the end of a stated period for which dues are payable shall not become 
due and payable until the next succeeding date for the payment of dues. 

262. When a member shall have become in arrears for dues, fines and 
assessments equal to the amount of one year's dues, the Master of Finance 
of his lodge shall forthw^ith notify him, by mail to his address as shown 
upon the books of the lodge, that he is so in arrears, and that, if such 
arrearages are not paid within thirty days after the date of such notice, he 
will be suspended from the lodge and from the order. The Master of 
Finance shall receive any payments which may be tendered to hnii in 



76 SUPREME [Title IV, 

response to such notice, at any time prior to action of the lodge thereon, 
provided the amount so tendered shall at least equal three months' dues. 
If, at a convention of the lodge held after the expiration of the time 
specified in such notice, the member so notified shall not have made pay- 
ment of arrearages as hereinbefore provided, the Master of Finance shall 
notify the lodge to that effect and that the notice required by this section 
has been sent. The account of the member shall thereupon be read, when, 
if objection be made to the account, such objection shall be fully stated and 
hearing had before the lodge. Immediately upon the reading of the 
account, or after the hearing thereon, if objection be made thereto, 
the question whether or not the member is in arrears for an amount equal 
to one year's dues, shall be submitted to vote of the lodge, and if the lodge 
shall vote that the member is so in arrears, the Chancellor Commander 
shall thereupon declare him suspended from the lodge and from the order, 
and such suspension shall be entered upon the records of the lodge; but 
such declaration by the Chancellor Commander shall in no case be made 
unless the notice herein required shall have been sent, nor unless the lodge 
shall previously determine by formal vote that the member is in arrears for 
an amount equal to one year's dues, which facts must be made of record 
upon the books of the lodge; provided, that the member shall not be so 
declared suspended if at the time he be under charges. 

263. A member who shall be suspended under the provisions of this 
chapter shall be known as a suspended member, and shall have no claim 
upon the order nor upon any lodge thereof, nor upon any member of the 
order, for any Pythian right, benefit or privilege whatsoever, until after he 
shall have been reinstated as provided by law. He shall not be chargeable 
with dues, fines or assessments during the period of his suspension. 

264. If any such suspended member shall commit an offence airainst 
the order, charges may be preferred against him either in the lodge by 
which he was suspended, or in any lodge within whose territorial jurisdic- 
tion the offence was committed; whereupon the person so charged shall be 
summoned before such lodge, and trial shall be had in the manner provided 
by law for offenders who are members of the order. If he shall be convicted 
of the offence charged, the trial lodge shall thereupon declare the offender 
expelled from the order, and if such lodge be other than that by which 
he was suspended, notice of its action shall be at once given that lodge 
through the Keeper of Records and Seal. 

CHAPTER V. 

TO DEFINE GOOD STANDING IN SUBORDINATE AND GRAND LODGES AND IN 
THE SUPREME LODGE. 

265. A Page, Esquire or Knight shall be considered to be in good 
standing in the subordinate lodge of which he is a member: 

Par. 1. If he is not under suspension from membership for the nou- 
paymf nt of arrearages or for other causes. 



Ciiiip. VI.] STATUTES. 77 

Par. 2. If he is not under trial in a subordinate lodge for the violation 
of Pythian law or other offences punishable by suspension or expulsion 
from membership. 

Par. 3. If he is not subject to charges duly made and filed, as provided 
by law. 

Pnr. 4. If he has not renounced the order. 

206. A Past Chancellor, upon whom has been conferred the Grand 
Lodge rank, shall be considered to be in good standing in the Grand Lodge 
of which he is a member : 

Par. 1. If he is in good standing in the subordinate lodge of which he is 
a member. 

Par. 2. If he is not under suspension from membership in such Grand 
Lodge; and, 

Par. 3. If he is not on trial in a Grand Lodge for offences punishable by 
suspension from membership, or expulsion from the order; and, 

Par. 4. If he is not the subject of charges made and pending in such 
Grand Lodge pursuant to law ; and. 

Par. 5. If the subordinate lodge of which he is a member shall not be 
under suspension for any cause. 

267. A Past Gratid Chancellor, upon whom has been conferred the 
Supreme Lodge rank, shall be considered to be in good standing in the 
Supreme Lodge: 

Par. 1. If he is in good standing in a subordinate and a Grand Lodge. 

Par. 2. If he is not under suspension in the Supreme Lodge. 

Par. 3. If he is not on trial as the result of and is not the subject of 
charges made or pending in the Supreme Lodge for off'ences punishable by 
suspension or expulsion from the order. 

Par. 4. If the Grand Lodge of which he is a member is not under sus- 
pension for any cause, or its charter is not revoked. 

CHAPTER VL 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE ISSUE AND TO REGULATE THE USES OF CARDS FOR THE 
TRANSFER OF LODGE MEMBERSHIP. 

268. Any member in good standing in a subordinate lodge, who may 
desire to change his membership to another lodge, may make application 
in writing over his own signature for a transfer card. Such application 
shall state the name, number and location of the lodge to which such mem- 
ber desires to transfer his membership, and shall be accompanied by the 
fee fi.xed by law for a transfer card and the amount of his dues, fines and 
assessments accrued, and dues in advance for ninety days from the date of 
the presentation of such application to the lodge. 

269. An application for a transfer card shall be read in open lodge, and 
a record of such fact made upon the minutes of the lodge, and the further 



78 SUPREME [Title IV, 

consideration of tiie matter sliall be postponed until the next regular con- 
vention of the lodge, at which time, if no charges are pending against the 
applicant, and he be in good standing in the lodge, the Chancellor Com- 
mander shall order the transfer card to be issued without any vote of the 
lodge. When the issue of such card has been ordered by the Chancellor 
Commander, the Keeper of Records and Seal shall forthwith prepare the 
same and cause it to be duly signed by the Chancellor Commander and 
attested by himself, and shall deliver it to the member requesting it, either 
in person or by mail to his address as it appears on the books of the lodge. 

270. The transfer card shall be addressed to the lodge which the 
applicant has designated in his application, shall certify k) the rank of 
knighthood which he may have attained and to his good standing in the 
lodge of issue, and shall recite the holder's desire to become affiliated Avith 
the lodge to which it is addressed. Such transfer card shall be in form as 
follows: 

TRANSFER CARD. 



SEAL OF . ISSUED BY THE SUPREME LODGE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS, 

supreme: 

lodge. : through the grand lodge of — .. 



SEAL OF : 
GRAND : 
LODGE. : 



Castle Hall of Lodge, No , at , Grand Domain 

of . 

"to Lodge, No. — , of , Grand Domain of : 



It is hereby certified that , whose proper signature is written 

in the margin hereof, is a member of the rank of , in good 

standing in this lodge. 

He has expressed his desire to transfer his membership to you, and at 
his request we issue this transfer card. 

Should this lodge receive notice from you that, within ninety days from 
this date, the holder of this card has been elected a member of your lodge, 
his membership in this lodge will be deemed to have ceased upon such 
election ; otherwise, this transfer card shall be null and void. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures and the 
seal of the lodge, this day of , 18 , P. P. 



SEAL OP 



: subordinate: Chancellor Commander, 

: lodge. : 



Keeper of Records and Seal. 

Sections 271, 272, 273 and 274 of this statute shall be printed on the 
back of the transfer card, which shall also contain a coupon for notifica- 
tion to the lodge of issuance. 

271. The holder of a transfer card may apply, subject to the provisions 
of title iv, chapter iii, sections 240, 241 and 242, Supreme Statutes, for 
membership to the lodge to which such transfer card is addressed, and 
shall attach such transfer card to his application and accompany the same 



Chap. VI.] STATUTES. 79 

with the affihation fee prescribed by law; provided that, if under the pro- 
visions of said chapter iii, the permission of the lodge of issue to make such 
application is required, then such transfer card shall be deemed and taken 
as such permission. 

272. An application for membership by deposit of transfer card shall 
be subject to the investigation and ballot provided in title iv, chapter iii, 
sections 245 and 246, Supreme Statutes. If the applicant be elected, his 
membership in the lodge of issue of such transfer card shall thereupon cease 
and determine, and his membership in the lodge to which his application 
is made shall begin. The Keeper of Records and Seal of the lodge of 
deposit shall at once address and forward by mail the coupon notice of 
such election to the lodge issuing the transfer card. Upon receipt of such 
notice by the lodge of issue, it shall be read in open lodge, and record 
thereof shall be made by the Keeper of Records and Seal and Master of 
Finance upon the books of the lodge. If the application be rejected, the 
transfer card shall be filed in the lodge to which it is addressed, and no 
similar application by that applicant shall be considered by that lodge for 
ninety days from the dat& of the transfer card. 

273. The rights of the holder of a transfer card as an officer in the 
lodge of issue, or as Grand Representative from such lodge, shall not be 
impaired by reason of the issue or deposit of such transfer card until his 
election to membership in the lodge to which it is addressed, but thereupon 
any such right shall finally cease and determine. If the lodge of deposit 
of a transfer card be within the same domain as the lodge of issue, the 
rights of the holder thereof as an officer in his Grand Lodge, or as Supreme 
Representative from such Grand Lodge, shall not be affected or impaired 
by the issue or deposit of such transfer card; but if the lodge of deposit of 
a transfer card be not within the same domain as the lodge of issue, then 
all such rights of the holder of such transfer card shall cease and deter- 
mine upon his election to membership in the lodge of deposit. The rights 
of the holder of a transfer card as an ofiicer of the Supreme Lodge shall at 
no time be affected or impaired by the issue or deposit of such transfer 
card. 

274. A subordinate lodge, subject to the legislation of its Grand Lodge, 
may establish the fee to accompany an application for afiiliation by the 
deposit of a transfer card and for the issue of such cards. A subordinate 
lodge not within the domain of a Grand Lodge may fix such fee, provided 
that no aflSiliation fee in such lodge shall exceed one-half the fee required 
by it for the three ranks of knighthood. 

275. The Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal is hereby authorized 
and directed to issue blank transfer cards as herein described, the same to 
be issued and furnished to Grand Lodges or to subordinate lodges not within 
the domain of a Grand Lodge, as provided by law. 



80 SUPREME [Title IV,. 

CHAPTER VII. 

TO PROVIDE FOR AND REGULATE THE ISSUE AND USE OP WITHDRAWAL CARDS, 
GRAND LODGE CARDS AND SUPREME LODGE CARDS. 

276. Any member of the order who is not indebted to his lodge, and is 
not under charges, may apply to his lodge in writing over his own signa- 
ture for a withdrawal card. 

277. Such application shall be read in open lodge, whereupon tlie 
Chancellor Commander shall enquire whether objection exists to the issue 
of such card, and if no objection be made, he shall, except as provided in 
section 286 of this statute, at once order its issue, without formal vote of 
the lodge thereon. If objection be made, the Chancellor Commander shall 
at once require the objection to be formulated in writing as charges against 
the applicant for the card, which charges shall take the course provided by 
law, unless the application be withdrawn; and if upon final hearing the 
defendant be convicted, the application shall be denied and no further 
application from him for such card shaU be received or considered until 
the penalty following such conviction shall have been full}'- discharged. If 
the applicant be acquitted, the Chancellor Commander shall, except as pro- 
vided in section 286 of this statute, thereupon order that the card be issued, 
unless the applicant shall have withdrawn, in writing, his request therefor. 
In any case where the Chancellor Commander shall order the issue of a 
withdrawal card, he shall endorse his order upon the application for the 
card, with the date thereof, and the card shall be at once prepared and 

' attested by the Keeper of Records and Seal and signed by the Chancellor 
Commander, and delivered immediately to the applicant therefor, either in 
person or by mail to his address as shown on the books of the lodge. 

278. A member of a subordinate lodge which shall have become 
defunct mstj make application for a Grand Lodge card to the Grand Chan- 
cellor of the Grand Lodge in whose domain said defunct lodge was situate, 
accompanying his application with satisfactory proof of his good standing 
in his subordinate lodge when the same became defunct, together with the 
fee for the card; whereupon the Grand Chancellor shall endorse his order 
upon the application, directing the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal to 
issue to the applicant a Grand Lodge card. 

279. A member of a subordinate lodge which shall have become 
defunct, who is under suspension for non-payment of dues, may make 
application for a Grand Lodge card to the Grand Chancellor of the Grand 
Lodge in whose domain said defunct lodge was situate, accompanying his 
application with the fee for the card and the amount of one year's dues as 
required by his lodge at the date of his suspension ; whereupon the Grand 
Chancellor shall endorse his order upon the application, and shall cause a 
Grand Lodge card to be issued and delivered to the applicant, as provided 
in the preceding section. 

280. A member of a subordinate lodge not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge, which has become defunct, may make application for a 



Chap. VIL] STATUTES. 81 

Supreme Lodge card to the Supreme Chancellor, accompanying his appli- 
cation with satisfactory proof of his good standing in his subordinate lodge 
when the same became defunct, together with the fee for the card; where- 
upon the Supreme Chancellor shall endorse upon the application his order 
directing the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal to issue to the applicant 
a Supreme Lodge card. 

281. A naember of a subordinate lodge not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge, which shall have become defunct, who is under suspension 
for non-payment of dues, may make application for a Supreme Lodge card 
to the Supreme Chancellor, accompanying his application with the fee for 
the card and the amount of one year's dues as required by his lodge at the 
date of his suspension ; whereupon the Supreme Chancellor shall endorse 
his order upon the application, and shall cause a Supreme Lodge card to be 
issued and delivered to the appUcant as provided in the preceding section. 

282. Upon the order of a Chancellor Commander for the issue of a 
withdrawal card, or of a Grand Chancellor for the issue of a Grand Lodge 
card, or of the Supreme Chancellor for the issue of a Supreme Lodge card, 
the applicant therefor shall be known as an ex-member of the order, and 
the membership of such applicant in his lodge and in the order shall cease 
and determine, except as hereinafter provided, and any official position 
held by him shall thereupon become vacant; but honors previously 
attained by him shall be retained. He shall have no claim upon the order 
or upon any lodge thereof for any Pythian privilege or benefit whatsoever. 

283. If an ex-member, as defined in the preceding section, shall com- 
mit an offence against the order which, if committed by a member of th& 
order, would subject the offender to the penalties prescribed for such 
offences, then and in that case, such ex-member may be proceeded against, 
as if he were a member of the order, and upon conviction of the offence 
as charged, the withdrawal card held by such ex-member shall stand 
revoked and annulled, and the holder of such card shall thereupon be per- 
petually prohibited from regaiuing membership in any lodge of the order. 

284. Should the holder of a withdrawal card, a Grand Lodge card or- 
a Supreme Lodge card desire at any time to become afiiliated with any 
subordinate lodge, he must make application to such lodge in the manner 
provided in title iv, chapter iii, Supreme Statutes, and attach his card to- 
such application. All the provisions of said statute shall apply to such 
application, except that in case of rejection the card shall be returned 
to the applicant, and except, also, that in such case the application may 
be renewed to the same or (subject to the provisions of said chapter) to a 
different subordinate lodge, after one month from the date of such rejec- 
tion. If the applicant be elected, it shall be the duty of the Keeper of 
Records and Seal of such lodge at once to notify the lodge of issue thereof, 
and the membership of the applicant shall date from such election. 

285. Should any such card be lost or destroyed, the holder thereof 
may apply in writing to the source of issue for a duplicate, which, upon 



82 SUPREME [Title IV, 

satisfactory proof of such loss and upon payment of tlie fee Xlierefor, shall 
at once be issued and delivered to him. If a card has been mutilated or 
defaced, the holder may surrender such card to the source of issue, and 
upon his request and payment of the fee therefor, a duplicate shall be 
issued and delivered to him. There shall be written or printed in red ink, 
across the face of any card issued under the provisions of this section, the 
word "duplicate." 

286. No subordinate lodge shall issue a card to a Past Chancellor, a 
Past Grand Chancellor or a Past Supreme Chancellor who may be under 
charges in his Grand Lodge or the Supreme Lodge; and should such card be 
so issued, it shall not be pleaded in bar of the proceedings under the charges, 
nor of the findings upon the same. 

287. The form of withdrawal card specified in this chapter shall be 
as follows : 

WITHDRAWAL CARD. 



SEAL OF : ^^® Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, through : seal of- 
SUPREME : the Grand Lodge of : , authorizes '- grand ■ 

LODGE. : ° ^ , ^_ - ' : LODGE. ; 

: Lodge, No. , of , : ; 



in said Grand Domain, to issue this withdrawal card to 

(whose proper signature is written in the margin hereof), who has attained 

the rank of , and, at his own request, has received this card of 

honorable withdrawal therefrom. 

Membership in the order by the holder hereof terminated upon the 
granting of this card. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures and the 
seal of the lodge, this day of , 18 — , P. P 



SEAL OF 



: subordinate: Chancellor Commander. 

: LODGE. : 



Keeper of Records and Seal. 

Note.— This card will remain in force until revoked or deposited (unless otherwise 
ordered by the Supreme Lodge), and the holder shall be subject to all laws and regulations 
relating thereto, as established by the Supreme Lodge. It can not be used as a visiting 
credential nor as evidence of the attainment of any honor or rank other than the ranks of 
knighthood. Such honor or other rank must be evidenced by a separate credential therefor. 

288. The form of Grand Lodge card specified in this chapter shall be 
as follows: 

GRAND LODGE CARD. 



SEAL of': "^^^ Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, through :"seal'op': 

SUPREME : the Grand Lodge of , has granted j grand • 

: this Grand Lodge card to (whose " "*^^^^* • 



proper signature is written in the margin hereof), who was formerly a mem- 
ber of Lodge, No. (now defunct), at - 

in the domain of said Grand Lodge, who had attained the rank of 

and, at his own request, has received this Grand Lodge card. 



Chap. VIL] STATUTES. 83 

Membership in the order by the holder hereof terminated upon the 
granting of this card. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures and the 

seal of this Grand Lodge, this day of 18 — , 

P. P 



Grand Chancellor. 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 

Note.— This card will remain in force until revoked or deposited (unless otherwise 
ordered by the Supreme Lodge), and the holder shall be subject to all laws and regulations 
relating thereto, as established by the Supreme Lodge. It can not be used as a visiting 
credential, nor as evidence of the attainment of any honor or rank other than the ranks of 
knighthood. Such honor or other rank must be evidenced by a separate credential therefor. 

289. The form of Supreme Lodge card specified in this chapter shall 
be as follows: 

SUPREME LODGE CARD. 

The Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias has granted this Supreme Lodge 

card to (whose proper signature is written 

in the margin hereof), who was formerly a member of 

Lodge, No. (now defunct), at , in the 

of , who had attained the 

rank of ^ , and, at his own request, has received this 

Supreme Lodge card. 

Membership in the order by the holder hereof terminated upon the 
granting of this card. 

In witness whereof, we have hereunto affixed our signatures and the 

Great Seal of the Supreme Lodge, this — day of _, 18 , 

P. P. 



: SEAL OF : Sujjreme Chancellor. 

: SUPREME : Attest: 
: LODGE. : 



Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. 



Note.— This card will remain in force until revoked or deposited (unless otherwise 
•ordered by the Supreme Lodge), and the holder shall be subject to alllaws and regulations 
relating thereto, as established by the Supreme Lodge. It can not be used as a visiting 
credential nor as evidence of the attainment of any honor or rank other than the ranks of 
knighthood. Such honor or other rank must be evidenced by a separate credential therefor. 

290. The cards provided for in this statute, when issued, shall be valid 
until revoked, annulled or deposited as hereinbefore provided. 

291. Such cards shall be prepared and furnished only by the Supreme 
Keeper of Eecords and Seal. 

292. Withdrawal cards heretofore issued may be revoked, annulled or 
deposited, as in this chapter hereinbefore provided for the revocation, 
annullment or deposit of withdrawal cards. Grand Lodge cards or Supreme 
Lodge cards; and, until so revoked, annulled or deposited, they shall be 
valid. 



84 SUPREME [Title IV, 

CHAPTER VIII. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE REINSTATEMENT TO MEMBERSHIP OF FORMER MEMBERS OF 
THE ORDER WHO WERE SUSPENDED FOR NON-PAYMENT OF ARREARAGES. 

293. A former member of the order, who was suspended from mem- 
bership in his subordinate lodge and in the order for the non-payment of 
arrearages, who desires to be restored to such membership, may make 
application therefor to the subordinate lodge by which he was so sus- 
pended. Such application shall be accompanied by the amount of his 
indebtedness to the lodge at the time of his suspension, or such sum as the 
by-laws of such lodge may prescribe for reinstatement, which amount shall 
be not less than one year's dues. 

294. Such application shall be read in open lodge, at a stated conven- 
tion thereof, and referred to an investigating committee of three, as in the 
case of an application for the ranks of knighthood, and no further action 
shall be taken on such application by the lodge for one week, and until the 
report of the investigating committee shall have been made to the lodge. 

295. Upon the report of the investigating committee, and subject to 
the restrictions of the preceding section, such application shall be ballotted 
upon by secret ball ballot, as in the case of an application for the ranks of 
knighthood, except that, if two-thirds of all the balls deposited upon such 
ballot be white, the applicant shall be declared reinstated; but should 
more than one-third of the balls deposited be black, the ballot shall be 
renewed immediately. Should two-thirds or more of the balls deposited 
on the second ballot be white, the applicant shall be declared reinstated; 
but should more than one-third of the balls be black, the applicant for 
reinstatement shall be declared rejected, and no further application for the 
reinstatement of the applicant so rejected shall be received by the lodge 
for the period of six months after the date of such rejection. Cubes shall 
be deemed to be black balls within the meaning of this section. 

296. A member of the order, who has been reinstated to membership 
as hereinbefore provided, shall not be chargeable with any dues accrued 
during the period of his suspension, nor with any assessments imposed 
during such period. 

CHAPTER IX. 

TO DEFINE THE STATUS OF MEMBERS OF THE ORDER UNDER SUSPENSION FOR ANY 
CAUSE OTHER THAN NON-PAYMENT OF ARREARAGES, THE CONTROL THAT 
MAY BE EXERCISED OVER SUCH MEMBERS, AND THE METHODS BY WHICH 
THEY MAY REGAIN MEMBERSHIP. 

297. The penalty of suspension from the order for offences against it 
may be either: 

Par. 1. For a term fixed by the lodge at the time of suspension, which 
shall be known as "definite suspension"; or, 

Par. 2. At the pleasure of the lodge, which shall be known as "indefi- 
nite suspension." 



Chap. IX.] STATUTES. 85 

298. A person who may be under suspension, either "definite" or 
"indefinite," shall have no claim upon the order, nor upon any lodge or 
member thereof, for any Pythian right, privilege or benefit whatsoever, 
until after his suspension shall have been terminated as provided by law. 
He shall not be chargeable with dues, fines or assessments during the 
period of his suspension. 

299. If any such suspended member shall commit an off"ence against 
the order, charges may be preferred against him, either in the lodge by 
which he was suspended, or in any lodge within whose territorial jurisdic- 
tion the ofi'ence was committed; whereupon the person so charged shall 
be summoned before such lodge, and trial shall be had in the manner pro- 
vided by law for offenders who are members of the order. If he shall be 
convicted of the ofi'ence charged, the trial lodge shall thereupon declare 
the ofi'ender expelled from the order; and if such lodge be other than that 
by which he was suspended, notice of its action shall be at once given to 
that lodge through its-Keeper of Records and Seal. 

300. A person under "definite" suspension shall, at the expiration of 
the term of such suspension, become and be reinstated to the standing 
held by him at the date of his suspension, without formal vote or action 
of the lodge, and shall thereupon be subject to all the obligations and 
entitled to all the rights pertaining to such standing. 

301. If a person who is under suspension, either "definite" or "in- 
definite," shall desire reinstatement prior to the expiration of such suspen- 
sion, he may petition the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain in which 
the lodge by which he was suspended is located, for permission to apply to 
such lodge for reinstatement. He shall accompany such petition with a 
full statement of the facts upon which he relies to justify his apphcation, 
and by proof that he has notified the lodge of his intention to make such 
petition. If such petition be granted by the Grand Chancellor, the peti- 
tioner may thereupon make application to the lodge by which he was sus- 
pended, for immediate reinstatement, and such lodge may, after hearing, 
grant the application for reinstatement, or may reduce the term of suspen- 
sion; provided at least one week's notice has been given to every member 
of such lodge of the meeting at which action thereon will be taken, and 
provided also that not less than two-thirds of the members present at such 
meeting, and entitled to vote, shall vote in favor thereof. 

302. When a lodge by whose action a person is under "indefinite" 
suspension, or under "definite" suspension the term of which has not 
expired, has become defunct, and such person desires reinstatement in the 
order, he may petition the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain in which 
such defunct lodge was located, for permission to apply to any subordinate 
lodge within whose territorial jurisdiction he resides, for reinstatement to 
membership in the order; whereupon said Grand Chancellor shall make 
such investigation as he may deem, advisable and necessary as to the pro- 
priety of granting the petition, and shall submit the petition, together with 



86 SUPREME [Title IV, 

the results of his investigation, to his Grand Lodge at its next convention. 
Should the Grand Lodge grant the petition, the Grand Keeper of Records 
and Seal shall give the petitioner official printed or written notice thereof, 
in manner and form as follows : 

Grand Lodge of , K. P., 



, 18 , P. P. 

To , formerly a member of 

Lodge, No. (defunct), of this Grand Domain: 

Whereas, on or about the day of , 18 — , after due 

trial, you were, for cause, duly suspended for ; 

and whereas, after such suspension, and before its termination, said lodge 
became defunct, and so remains; and whereas, you have, in accordance 
with the forms of law, filed with the Grand Chancellor of this Grand Lodge 
a petition for permission to apply for reinstatement to membership in the 
order; and whereas, after due hearing, this Grand Lodge has granted the 
prayer of said petition; now, therefore, this notice thereof is issued to you, 

the said , and shall have the same force as, 

and may be used in lieu of, a withdrawal card. 

In witness whereof, I have hereto aflftxed my official signature and the 
seal of this Grand Lodge, the day and year first above written. 



: SEAL OF 
; GRAND 



Attest: Grand Clmncellor. 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 

Such official notice shall have the same force as, and may be used in lieu 
of, a withdrawal card. If the lodge described in sections 301 and 302 of 
this chapter was not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, or if its war- 
rant has been revoked, or if the Grand Lodge in whose domain such 
lodge was located has become defunct, the petition herein referred to shall 
be made to the Supreme Chancellor, and shall be submitted by him to the 
Supreme Lodge, for its action. If the petition be granted by the Supreme 
Lodge, the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall give to the petitioner 
official notice thereof in manner and form similar to that herein prescribed 
for official notice of the action of a Grand Lodge. 

CHAPTER X. 

RELATING TO FUNERAL BENEFITS. 

303. Each subordinate lodge shall pay a funeral benefit of not less 
than twenty dollars in the currency of the United States of America, or its 
equivalent in the currency of the country in which the lodge is located, 
upon the death of a member thereof, of any rank, who was in good stand- 
ing at the time of his death, said payment to be made as provided in the 
by-laws of the lodge. 



ClUip. XIL] STATUTES. 87 

304. A subordinate lodge which provides for the paym<mt of a larger 
sum than the minimum amount fixed b}'' the Supreme law as a funeral 
benefit, may prescribe the person or persons to whom the amount in excess 
of said minimum amount shall be paid, or it may provide that the amount 
in excess of such minimum shall be expended under the direction of the 
lodge toward defraying the funeral expenses of the deceased member. To 
be entitled to the privileges conferred by this section, a subordinate lodge 
must take advantage thereof by the adoption of such provisions in its 
by-laws as will secure them. 

305. When a subordinate lodge provides in its by-laws that the amount 
of its funeral benefits in excess of the minimum amount fixed by the 
Supreme law shall be applied toward the payment of funeral expenses, it 
shall be the sole judge as to what portion of said sum shall be expended 
for that purpose, and the rights of the party entitled under the by-laws of 
a lodge to the twenty dollars minimum funeral benefit shall be held to 
have been satisfied whenever such minimum shall have been paid to such 
party. 

306. The suicide of a member shall not release his subordinate lodge 
from the payment of the minimum amount of funeral benefit provided by 
the Supreme law. 

CHAPTER XL 

RELATING TO THE SELECTION OF A PRESIDING OFFICER OTHER THAN THE 
CHANCELLOR COMMANDER OR VICE CHANCELLOR. 

307. The Chancellor Commander is the executive officer of a subordi- 
nate lodge, and in addition to his duties as such, it shall be his duty to pre- 
side at all the conventions of his lodge. In the event of his absence at the 
time fixed by law for. calling a convention to order, or in case he is present 
at that time and fails or refuses to call the lodge to order within fifteen 
minutes of the time fixed by law for opening the lodge, and a quorum is 
present, the Vice Chancellor shall take the chair and perform, for the time 
being, the duties of Chancellor Commander. If both of these officers are 
absent, or are present and neglect or refuse to preside, the members present 
shall proceed to select, by vote, some one from among themselves to pre- 
side, voting first upon the Past Chancellors, and, in case of failure to secure 
a presiding officer from among them, then upon those who have received 
the rank of Knight. The person so selected to preside shall have, while in 
the chair, the same power to conduct the business of the lodge and to pre- 
side while the ranks are being conferred, that is devolved by the law upon 
a Chancellor Commander. 

CHAPTER XII. 

REQUIRING KEEPER OF RECORDS AND SEAL TO NOTIFY BOARD OF CONTROL OF 
EXPULSIONS AND SUSPENSIONS. 

308. Whenever a member of a subordinate lodge shall be declared 
expelled from the order or suspended from membership therein, for any 



88 SUPREME [Title IV, 

cause, it shall be the duty of the Keeper of Records and Seal of such lodge 
immediately to forward to the Board of Control of the Endowment Rank 
a notice of such expulsion or suspension, signed by him and attested by 
the Chancellor Commander, over the seal of the lodge. Said notice shall 
give the name in full, legibly written, of the member expelled or suspended, 
and the cause for which he was expelled or suspended; and, in case the 
suspension is for a definite period, the notice shall state the length tliereof. 

CHAPTER XIII. 

RESORT TO CIVIL COURTS BY MEMBERS. 

309. Members of the order shall not resort to the civil courts of the 
land, for establishing rights and redressing grievances growing out of mem- 
bership in the order, until they shall have exhausted their remedies in the 
tribunals of the order. 

CHAPTER XIV. 

RELATING TO WARRANTS AND CHARTERS FOR SUBORDINATE LODGES WITHIN THE 
DOMAIN OF A GRAND LODGE. 

310. The provisions of this chapter, so far as they relate to subordinate 
lodges, shall apply only to such lodges located within the domain of an 
existing Grand Lodge. 

311. Whenever ten or more persons, eligible under the Supreme law 
to receive the ranks of knighthood, shall desire to establish a subordinate 
lodge of the order within the domain of a Grand Lodge, they may petition 
the Grand Chancellor of such domain for a warrant for such subordinate 
lodge. Such petition shall be signed by each petitioner in his own hand- 
writing, giving the age, residence and occupation of each, and shall be in 
the following form: 

To the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain of ; 



The undersigned represent that they are white males, of good moral 
character, not less than twenty-one and not more than fifty years of age, 
believers in a Supreme Being, in good health and sound in mind and body, 
able to read and write, and not engaged in either of the occupations known 
as professional gambler, saloon-keeper, bar-tender or retail dealer in spir- 
ituous liquors, wine, ale or beer (except as bona fide hotel-keepers 
or druggists) ; that they believe in the maintenance of order and the 
upholding of constituted authority in the government in which they live; 
that they have not, within six months, been rejected as applicants for 
the ranks of knighthood; and that they have been for the six months last 
past actual residents of this state [territory, district, province]. 

They respectfully petition that you will grant them a warrant for the 
institution and establishment of a subordinate lodge of the order of 

Knights of Pythias, to be located at , county [parish] 

of , state [territory, district, province] of— _, 



Chap. XIV.] STATUTES. 89 

and to be known as '* Lodge [with such number as you 

may designate], Knights of Pythias of the Grand Domam of " 

Should this petition be granted, we hereby covenant and agree that 
we wall, as individuals and as a lodge, in all respects observe and obey the 
Supreme law of the order and the laws of your Grand Lodge. 

The withdrawal cards or transfer cards held by any of us are hereto 
attached. 

312. The petition described in the foregoing section shall be forwarded 
to the Grand Chancellor. In case any of the petitioners are holders of 
transfer cards or withdrawal cards, then such cards shall accompany such 
petition. If the Grand Chancellor, after due investigation, shall determine 
to grant such petition, he shall cause a warrant for the institution of such 
subordinate lodge to be at once prepared by the Grand Keeper of Records 
and Seal, and shall issue the same in form as follows: 



GRAND LODGE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS OF -. 

To whom it may concern: 

Whereas, [names of applicants] have petitioned the undersigned. Grand 

Chancellor of the Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of , 

for the institution of a subordinate lodge of the order; 

Now, therefore, know ye that I, as such Grand Chancellor, being duly 
authorized by the Supreme law of the order and the laws of this Grand 
Lodge, do hereby grant this warrant for the institution of such lodge, to be 

known as Lodge, No , Knights of Pythias, 

of , located at ; hereby 

investing it with all the powers and privileges conferred by the Supreme 
law and the laws of this Grand Lodge upon a subordinate lodge of the 
order. 

This warrant may be suspended by the Grand Chancellor of this Grand 
Domain, or revoked by this Grand Lodge, in the manner provided by law; 
but, unless so suspended or revoked, it shall be valid until vacated by the 
issue of a charter in lieu thereof. 

In witness whereof, I have caused the seal of this Grand Lodge to be 
affixed, and my signature to be attested by the Grand Keeper of Records 
and Seal, this day of , 18 , P. P. __. 



SEAL OF 
GRAND 
LODGE. 



Attest: Grand Chancellor, 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 

The warrant shall bear an impression of the Great Seal of the Supreme 
Lodge in the middle of the form, in a tint or light color different from that 
used in the body of the form, and the blank forms shall be furnished only 
by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. 

313. No warrant or charter shall be granted to a subordinate lodge to 
be known by a name or title which is the name or title of a living person. 



90 SUPREME [Title IV, 

314:. Whenever a subordinate lodge has been instituted under a war- 
rant issued in accordance with the provisions of this chapter, such subor- 
dinate lodge may by formal vote petition the G«and Lodge within whose 
Grand Domain it is located, for the issue of a charter in lieu of such war- 
rant. The petition, under seal of the lodge, signed by the Chancellor 
Commander and attested by the Keeper of Records and Seal, shall be pre- 
sented to the Grand Lodge, in convention assembled, when a charter may 
be granted or refused at the pleasure of the Grand Lodge. If granted, 
such charter shall be immediately issued by such Grand Lodge, in form as 
foUow^s: 

KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

Whereas, the following named persons [names] were, on the 



day of , 18 — , P. P , under warrant lawfully issued, 

instituted and established as a subordinate lodge of the order of Knights 
of Pythias ; and 

Whereas, such lodge has by knightly service made proof of its con- 
stancy and devotion, and has duly made petition for a charter in lieu of 
said warrant ; 

Now, therefore, the Grand Lodge Knights of Pythias of , 

by virtue of the power and authority conferred by the Supreme law of the 
order, doth hereby grant this charter, fully establishing and confirming 

said persons and their successors as Lodge, 

No. , Knights of Pythias, of the Grand Domain of , 

located at ; and said lodge is hereby invested with 

all the rights, powers and privileges conferred upon a subordinate lodge 
of the order within this Grand Domain by the Supreme law and the laws 
of this Grand Lodge. 

In default of obedience at all times by said lodge to the Supreme law of 
the order, and compliance with the legal enactments and commands of 
this Grand Lodge and of its Grand Chancellor, this charter may be sus- 
pended or revoked in the manner provided by law. 

In witness whereof, this charter has been duly executed, and the seal, 

of this Grand Lodge affixed thereto, this day of 

18 , P. P 



SEAL OF 

GR-VND 

; LODGE. 



Attest: Grand ClumceUor. 



Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 



The validity of charters granted prior to the enactment of this statute, 
and of different forms from that herein prescribed, shall not be affected 
thereby. 

315. The issue of a charter, as provided in the preceding section, shall 
vacate the warrant under which such subordinate lodge was instituted, and 
such warrant shall be at once returned to and deposited with the Grand 
Keeper of Records and Seal of the Grand T/jdge granting the charter; and 



Chap. XIY,] STATUTES. 91 

no act done under such warrant, after the issue of a charter in lieu thereof, 
shall be valid or legal. 

316. Should the warrant or charter of a subordinate lodge be lost or 
destroyed, the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Lodge within whose domain 
such subordinate lodge is located ma}' issue a warrant to serve in lieu of 
such warrant or charter until the next convention of such Grand Lodge, 
when, upon petition of such subordinate lodge, and at the pleasure of such 
Grand Lodge, a duplicate warrant or charter may be issued. 

317. No meeting of a subordinate lodge shall be legal unless its war- 
rant or charter be displayed in the manner required by the Supreme Con- 
stitution. 

318. No subordinate lodge shall surrender its warrant or charter so 
long as seven members shall vote against such surrender, nor unless two 
weeks' notice in writing of the convention at which the proposed surren- 
der is to be acted on shall have been given to every member of the lodge. 

319. Two or more subordinate lodges within the domain of the same 
Grand Lodge may be consolidated under the warrant or charter of either 
of them, or under a new warrant or charter, on such terms and in such 
manner as may be determined by the Grand Lodge within whose domain 
they are located, provided that no subordinate lodge shall be so consoli- 
dated with another, except by formal vote of such lodges, and after at least 
two weeks' notice of the proposed action has been given to every member 
thereof; provided also, that no subordinate lodge shall be consolidated with 
another so long as seven members thereof shall vote against such consoli- 
dation; and provided further, that all members of subordinate lodges con- 
solidated, and all persons holding unrevoked withdrawal cards issued 
thereby, or under suspension of such lodges, shall hold the same relation 
to the consolidated lodge as they held to their respective lodges at the date 
of such consolidation. 

320. The warrant or charter of a subordinate lodge which shall be 
guilty of conduct disloyal or discreditable to the order, or which shall neg- 
lect or i-efuse to conform to, observe or enforce the Supreme law or any 
mandate of the Supreme Tribunal or of the Supreme Chancellor, or any 
law of its Grand Lodge, or any mandate of the Grand Chancellor thereof, 
or either of them, or the membership of which may diminish to less than 
ten members, may be suspended or revoked in the manner provided by 
the laws of the Grand Lodge of the Grand Domain in which such subor- 
dinate lodge is located; provided, no such warrant or charter shall be sus- 
pended or revoked until the lodge shall have been duly notified of its 
alleged offence, and opportunity given for answer and defence; nor shall 
any such warrant or charter be revoked except by formal vote of its Grand 
Lodge. 

321. The warrant or charter of a subordinate lodge, which has been 
surrendered or suspended in accordance with the provisions of this chap- 



92 SUPREME [Title IV, 

ter, maybe restored to the members thereof who petition for such restora- 
tion, at the pleasure of the Grand Lodge within whose domain it is located, 
or of the Grand Chancellor thereof ; and in such case the members thereof 
and all persons holding unrevoked withdrawal cards from, or under sus- 
pension by, such subordinate lodge, shall hold the same relation to the 
reinstated lodge as they held thereto at the date of the surrender or sus- 
pension of its warrant or charter. 

322. A warrant or charter which has been revoked under the provisions 
of this chapter may be restored by the Grand Lodge to such of the members 
thereof as petition therefor. Such lodge, so reorganized, shall have juris- 
diction or control only over the persons to whom such warrant or charter 
may have been restored, except as others may subsequently become mem- 
bers thereof in the manner provided by law. 

CHAPTER XV. 

RELATING TO THE FEES THAT SHALL BE CHARGED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN A 
SUBORDINATE LODGE WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF A GRAND LODGE. 

323. Subject to provisions of this statute, and to the requirement of 
the Supreme Constitution that the total amount of the fee for the three 
ranks shall not be less than ten dollars in the currency of the United States 
of America, or its equivalent in the currency of the country in which the 
lodge is located, a Grand Lodge may prescribe by law the amount of the 
fee that shall be charged by each of its subordinate lodges for the ranks 
of knighthood; provided that, at the institution of a new lodge, the 
amount of the prescribed fee for the three ranks must be paid to the 
instituting officer before an applicant for the ranks of knighthood in such 
new lodge can be legally elected to receive them; and provided further, that 
not less than one-third of the total amount of the fee prescribed for the 
ranks of knighthood must be paid into the exchequer of an existing lodge 
before an applicant for membership therein by initiation can be legally 
elected to receive the ranks of knighthood. 

324. The fee to be charged by a subordinate lodge for membership 
therein by the deposit of a transfer card shall be as prescribed by the Grand 
Lodge having jurisdiction. The affiliation fee must be paid into the 
exchequer of the lodge before an applicant for affiliation can be legally 
elected as a member. 

325. The fee to be charged by a subordinate lodge for membership 
therein by the deposit of a withdrawal card, Grand Lodge card or Supreme 
Lodge card, shall be as prescribed by the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction. 
Such fee must be paid into the exchequer of the lodge before an applicant 
for reconnection with the order can be legally elected to membership. 

326. The fee to be charged by a subordinate lodge for reinstatement to 
membership therein of a member suspended for non-payment of arrearages, 
shall be as prescribed by the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction; but the 



Chap. XVII.] STATUTES. 93 

amount of such fee shall not be less than the amount of one year's dues nor 
greater than the amount prescribed b}'' the Grand Lodge as the mmimum 
amount of the fee that shall be charged for the ranks of knighthood. The 
total amount of the reinstatement fee must be paid into the exchequer of 
the lodge before an apphcant for reinstatement can be legally restored to 
membership. 

327. Should a Grand Lodge fail or refuse to avail itself of the privi- 
leges conferred by this chapter, the subordinate lodges within its domain 
may exercise said privileges under the same restrictions that are placed 
upon their exercise by a Grand Lodge, until such time as the Grand Lodge 
shall enact legislation upon the subject. 

CHAPTER XVI. 

RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL OF FUNDS OF A SUBORDINATE LODGE WITHIN 
THE DOMAIN OP A GRAND LODGE. 

328. The receipts from fees and dues and the increments thereof shall 
constitute a trust fund for carrying out the fraternal and beneficial features 
of the order, and shall not be expended for any other than those purposes 
and the payment of the necessary expenses of the lodge, as those purposes 
and expenses may be determined legislatively or judicially by the Grand 
Lodge having jurisdiction, which Grand Lodge shall also determine the 
vote that shall be necessary to make an expenditure from the fund, and the 
manner in which it may be invested, if at all. This fund shall not be sub- 
ject to partition among the members of a lodge; and in case a lodge shall 
from any cause cease to exist, said fund shall revert to the Grand Lodge 
within whose domain the lodge is located. 

329. The receipts from fines and assessments shall be carried to such 
fund or funds as the Grand Lodge having jurisdiction may direct, and shall 
be expended only in such manner, by such vote and for such purposes as 
said Grand Lodge may determine. 

330. The receipts from donations or bequests shall be carried to such 
fund or funds, or applied to such purpose or purposes, as the donors may 
direct, provided such direction is in conformity with the principles and pur- 
poses of the order; and provided further that, should the donation or 
bequest be made without directions as to the purpose to which it shall be 
applied, such donation or bequest shall be carried to the trust fund. 

CHAPTER XVII. 

RELATING TO WARRANTS FOR THE INSTITUTION OF SUBORDINATE LODGES NOT 
WITHIN THE DOMAIN OF A GRAND LODGE. 

331. Whenever ten or more persons, eligible under the Supreme law 
to receive the ranks of knighthood, shall desire to establish a subordinate 
lodge of tiie order in territory not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, 
they may petition the Supreme Chancellor for a warrant for such subordi- 



94 SUPREME [Title IV, 

nate lodge, and such petition shall be signed by each petitioner in his own 
handwriting, giving the age, residence and occupation of each, and shall 
be in the following form: 

To the Supreme Chancellor of the Order of Knights of Pythias : 

The undersigned represent that they are white males, of good moral 
character, not less than twenty-one and not more than fifty years of age, 
believers in a Supreme Being, in good health and sound in mind and body, 
able to read and write, and not engaged in either of the occupations known 
as professional gambler, saloon-keeper, bar-tender or retail dealer in spirit- 
uous liquors, wine, ale or beer (except bona fide hotel-keepers or drug- 
gists) ; that they believe in the maintenance of order and the uphold- 
ing of constituted authority in the government in which they live ; that 
they have not within six months been rejected as applicants for the ranks 
of knighthood; and that they have been for the six months last past actual 
residents of this state [territory, district, province]. 

They respectfully petition that you will grant them a warrant for the 
institution and establishment of a subordinate lodge of the order of 

Knights of Pythias, to be located at , county 

[parish] of , state [territory, district, province] of 

, and to be known as " Lodge [with such 

number as you may designate]. Knights of Pythias, of 

[state, territory, district, province]." 

Should this petition be granted, we hereby covenant and agree that we 
will, as individuals and as a lodge, in all respects observe and obey the 
Supreme law of the order. 

The withdrawal cards or transfer cards held by any of us are hereto 
attached. 

332. The petition described in the foregoing section shall be for- 
warded to the Supreme Chancellor. In case any of the petitioners are 
holders of transfer cards or withdrawal cards, then such cards shall accom- 
pany such petition. If the Supreme Chancellor, after due investigation, 
shall determine to grant such i3etition, he shall cause a warrant for the 
institution of such subordinate lodge to be issued at once by the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, in form as follows: 

SUPREME LODGE KNIGHTS OF PYTHIAS. 

To whom it may concern : 

Whereas, [names of applicants] have petitioned the undersigned, 
Supreme Chancellor of the order of Knights of Pythias, for the institution 
of a subordinate lodge of the order; 

Now, therefore, know ye that I, as such Supreme Chancellor, being 
duly authorized by the Supreme law of the order, do hereby grant this 

warrant for the institution of such lodge, to be known as 

Lodge, No. , Knights of Pythias, of : [state, territory. 

district, province], located at ; hereby investing it with all 



Chap. XVII.] STATUTES. 95 

the powers and privileges conferred by tlie Supreme law upon a subor- 
dinate lodge of the order. 

This warrant may be suspended by the Supreme Chancellor or revoked 
by the Supreme Lodge, in the manner provided by law ; but unless so 
suspended or revoked, it shall be valid until vacated by the issue of a 
charter in lieu thereof. 

In witness whereof, I have caused the Great Seal of the Supreme Lodge 
to be affixed, and my signature to be attested by the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal, this dav of , 18 , P. P. 



: SEAL OF 
: SUPREME 
: LODGE. 



Attest: Supreme Chancellor. 



Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. 



333. No warrant shall be granted to a subordinate lodge to be known 
by a name or title which is the name or title of a living person. 

334. Should the warrant of a subordinate lodge not within the domain 
of a Grand Lodge be lost or destroyed, the Supreuie Chancellor, upon 
satisfactory proof of such loss or destruction, shall cause to be issued a 
duplicate of said warrant. 

335. A subordinate lodge not within the domain of a Grand Lodge 
shall not surrender its warrant so long as seven members of such lodge 
shall vote against such proposed surrender. 

336. The warrant of a subordinate lodge not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge, which has been surrendered or suspended in accordance 
with law, may be restored to the members of such lodge who petition for 
such restoration, at the pleasure of the Supreme Chancellor or of the 
Supreme Lodge; and in such case, the members of such lodge and all per- 
sons holding unrevoked or undeposited withdrawal cards issued from, or 
under suspension by, such subordinate lodge, shall hold the same relation 
to the reinstated lodge as they held thereto at the date of the surrender or 
suspension of the warrant thereof. 

337. Two or more subordinate lodges not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge may be consolidated under the warrant of either of them, or 
under a new warrant, on such terms and in such manner as may be deter- 
mined by the Supreme Lodge ; provided that no subordinate lodge shall be 
so consolidated with another, except by formal vote of such lodges, and 
after at least two weeks' notice of the proposed action has been given to 
every member thereof ; provided also, that no subordinate lodge shall be 
consolidated with another so long as seven members thereof shall vote 
against such consolidation ; and provided, further, that all members of 
subordinate lodges consolidated, and all persons holding unrevoked with- 
drawal cards issued thereby, or under suspension of such lodges, shall 
hold the same relation to the consolidated lodge as they held to their 
respective lodges at the date of such consolidation. 



96 SUPREME [Title IV, 

CHAPTER XVIII. 

RELATING TO PER CAPITA TAX, REPORTS, CONVENTIONS AND LAWS OP SUBOR- 
DINATE LODGES NOT WITHIN THE DOMAIN OP A GRAND LODGE. 

338. Every subordinate lodge in territory not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge shall be under the immediate control of the Supreme Lodge, 
until such territory shall be attached to or become a part of the domain of 
a Grand Lodge. 

339. While under the immediate control of the Supreme Lodge, every 
subordinate lodge shall pay thereto a semi-annual tax of twenty-five cents 
per capita of the membership of such subordinate lodge on the 30th day of 
June and the 31st day of December of each year. Such per capita tax shall 
be forwarded to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal on or before the 
tenth days of January and July in each year. 

340. In determining the amount of the per capita tax to be paid as 
provided in the preceding section. Pages and Esquires shall be considered 
members of a subordinate lodge. 

341. It shall be the duty of each subordinate lodge not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge to make out and forward to the Deputy Supreme 
Chancellor in charge thereof, on a blank to be furnished through him to 
the said lodge by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, and in strict 
conformity to the forms therein prescribed, a semi-annual report. Said 
report shall contain a statement of the membership of the lodge on the 
preceding 30th day of June, or 31st day of December, as the case may be, 
including the additions thereto and the deductions therefrom during the 
semi-annual term; a statement of the finances of the lodge during said 
term; a list of all Past Chancellors in good standing in the lodge; and a 
list of the officers for the ensuing term. 

342. Under no circumstances shall a Deputy Supreme Chancellor 
communicate the S. A. P. W. to a lodge, or permit the officers thereof to be 
installed, until the report for the preceding semi-annual term and the 
proper amount of per capita tax shall have been delivered to him. 

343. It shall be the duty of the Deputy Supreme Chancellor to forward 
by registered mail, in time to reach the office of the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal on or before the first day of April or the first day of Octo- 
ber, as the case may be, the semi-annual reports for the preceding term of 
all the lodges under his jurisdiction, together with the aggregate amount 
of per capita tax due from said lodges. In case of the failure of the Deputy 
Supreme Chancellor to comply with this requirement, the Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal shall report the fact to the Supreme Chancellor, who 
shall take such steps as may seem proper to him to secure compliance with 
the law. 

344. If a subordinate lodge under the immediate control of the Supreme 
Lodge shall neglect or refuse for the period of three months to hold regular 



Chap. XIX.] STATUTES. 97 

conventions as provided by law, unless it shall have been authorized by dis- 
pensation duly granted therefor to suspend such conventions, its warrant 
may be suspended by the Supreme Chancellor or the Supreme Lodge. 

345. Whenever a subordinate lodge under the immediate control of 
the Supreme Lodge shall adopt for its own government a constitution or 
code of laws or any amendment thereof, a certified copy thereof shall be 
forwarded at once by the Keeper of Eecords and Seal of such subordinate 
lodge by registered mail to the Supreme Chancellor. If the Supreme Chan- 
cellor shall find such constitution, laws or amendments thereof in accord 
with the Supreme law, he shall approve them, and certify such approval to 
the subordinate lodge from which they were received. If he shall find any 
portion thereof in conflict with the Supreme law, he shall certify his disap- 
proval of such portion, and refer to or cite the Supreme law with which the 
portion so disapproved is in conflict, and shall certify his approval of such 
constitution and laws as so modified. If the Supreme Chancellor shall fail 
to return to the subordinate lodge from which they were received such con- 
stitution, laws or amendments thereof, within ninety days from the date 
upon which they were received by him, then they shall at once become 
operative and in force without approval by him. 

-'.^ 
CHAPTER XIX. 

RELATING TO THE FEES THAT SHALL BE CHARGED FOR MEMBERSHIP IN A 
SUBORDINATE LODGE NOT WITHIN THE DOMAIN OP A GRAND LODGE. 

346. The fee to be charged for the ranks of knighthood, at the institu- 
tion of a new lodge in territory not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, 
may be determined by a majority vote of all those who shall have signed 
the petition for warrant; but such amount shall not be less than ten dollars 
in the currency of the United States of America, or its equivalent in the 
currency of the country in which the new lodge is located, and the total 
amount of said fee must be paid to the instituting officer before an appli- 
cant for the ranks of knighthood in such new_lodge can be legally elected 
to receive them. 

347. No fee shall be charged the holder of a withdrawal card, Grand 
Lodge card or Supreme Lodge card for reconnection with the order by 
deposit thereof as a charter member of a new lodge. 

348. The fee to be charged by an existing subordinate lodge for the 
ranks of knighthood may be fixed by the lodge, subject to the requirement 
of the Supreme Constitution that the total amount of the fee for the three 
ranks shall not be less than ten dollars in the currency of the United States 
of America, or its equivalent in the currency of the country in which the 
lodge is located. The amount of such fee shall be set forth in the by-laws 
of the lodge, and not less than one-third of the total amount of STich fee 
must be paid into the treasury of the lodge before an applicant for mem- 
bership therein by initiation can be legally elected to receive the ranks of 
knighthood. 

7 



98 SUPREME [Title IV, 

349. The fee to be charged for affiliation by the deposit of a transfer 
card shall be fixed by the lodge and prescribed in its by-laws ; but the 
amount of such fee shall not be less than one-third of the total amount of 
the fee that the lodge prescribes for the ranks of knighthood. The total 
amount of the affiliation fee so prescribed must be paid into the exchequer 
of the lodge before an applicant for affiliation can be legally elected as a 
member. 

350. The fee to be charged for reconnection with the order by the 
deposit of a withdrawal card, Grand Lodge card or Supreme Lodge card, 
may be fixed by the lodge, and shall be prescribed in its by-laws; but the 
amount of such fee shall not be less than one-third of the total amount of 
the fee which the lodge prescribes for the ranks of knighthood. The total 
amount of the reconnection fee so prescribed must be paid into the 
exchequer of the lodge before an applicant for reconnection with the order 
can be legally elected to membership. 

351. The fee to be charged for reinstatement to membership of a mem- 
ber suspended for non-payment of arrearages may be fixed by the lodge* 
and shall be prescribed in its by-laws; but the amount of such fee shall not 
be less than the amount of one year's dues, nor greater than the total 
amount of the fee which the lodge prescribes for the ranks of knighthood. 
The total amount of the reinstatement fee so presci ibed must be paid into 
the exchequer of the lodge before an applicant for reinstatement can be 
legally restored to membership. 

CHAPTER XX. 

RELATING TO THE DISPOSAL OP THE FUNDS OP A SUBORDINATE LODGE NOT 
WITHIN THE DOMAIN OP A GRAND LODGE. 

352. The receipts from fees and dues and their increments shall con- 
stitute a trust fund for carrying out the fraternal and beneficial features of 
the order, and shall not be expended for any other than those purposes 
and the payment of the necessary expenses of the lodge. When there shall 
accumulate a sufficient amount in this fund to warrant an investment, it 
may be made, provided the amount it is proposed to invest shall not be so 
great as to inconvenience the lodge in carrying out its fraternal, beneficial 
and financial obligations; and provided further that such investment shall 
be made only in the bonds of the state, district, territory or province, or of 
the county, city or towm thereof, in which the lodge is located, or loaned 
on unencumbered real estate reasonably worth double the amount that is 
loaned. This fund shall not be subject to partition among the members of 
the lodge ; and in case a lodge shall from any cause cease to exist, said fund 
shall revert to the Supreme Lodge. 

353. The receipts from fines and assessments shall be carried to such 
fund or funds as the by-laws of the lodge may direct, and shall be expended 
only by a two-thirds vote, and for such purposes as the by-laws of the 
lodge prescribe. 



Chap. XX.] STATUTES. 99 

354. The receipts from donations or bequests shall be carried to such 
fund or funds, or appUed to such purpose or purposes, as the donors may 
direct; provided that, in the absence of such directions, such receipts shall 
be carried to the trust fund. 



100 SUPREME [Title V^ 

TITLE V. 

INSURANCE BRANCH. 

I. Powers and duties of the Board of Control and of the President thereot 
n. Relating to cost of printing matter concerning Endowment Rank. 

CHAPTER I. 

RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE BOARD OF CONTROL AND OF THE 
PRESIDENT THEREOF. 

355. The Board of Control shall have territorial jurisdiction, coexten- 
sive with the Supreme Lodge, over all matters pertaining to the insurance 
branch of the order, known as the Endowment Rank, subject to the 
Supreme law. 

356. The President of the Board of Control shall have authority to 
address to any Grand or subordinate lodge of the order any communication 
or circular pertaining to or connected with the insurance branch of the 
order or its business. 

357. The President of the Board of Control, in addition to his duties 
as prescribed in the laws of the insurance branch of the order, shall make 
to the Supreme Lodge, at each biennial convention, a full report of the 
operations of such insurance branch during the preceding biennial term, 
together with any recommendations which he may deem necessary or 
desirable for the promotion of the interests and growth of such insurance 
branch. 

358. The Board of Control shall be composed of the Supreme Chan- 
cellor ex officio, the Supreme Vice Chancellor ex officio, and three members 
of the Supreme Lodge who shall be members of the Endowment Rank 
and shall be elected by the Supreme Lodge as follows: the two members 
of said board heretofore elected, whose terms expire respectively in 1896 and 
1898, shall continue as members of said board until the expiration of their 
said terms. There shall be elected at the convention of the Supreme Lodge 
in 1894 one member of the board, to serve for the term of six years; and at 
each succeeding biennial convention of the Supreme Lodge, one member 
shall be elected for the full term of six years. In case of the death, resig- 
nation or removal of any or either of the members of the Board of Control, 
the Supreme Chancellor is hereby authorized to fill such vacancy by 
appointment. The member so appointed by the Supreme Chancellor sliall 
serve until the first convention of the Supreme Lodge held after such 
appointment was made, at which convention the Supreme Lodge shall fill 
the vacancy by election. 

CHAPTER II. 

RELATING TO COST OF PRINTING MATTER CONCERNING ENDOWMENT RANK. 

359. The Board of Control of the Endowment Rank shall reimburse- 
the Supreme Lodge for the amount paid by it for the printing of the mat- 



€hap. II.] STATUTES. 101 

ter relating to the Endowment Branch that appears in the daily journal of 
the Supreme Lodge, the official record of the proceedings of the Supreme 
Lodge, the Supreme Constitution and the Supreme Statutes. The amount 
expended by the Supreme Lodge on this account shall be ascertained and 
reported by its Committee on Printing. 



102 SUPREAiB [Title VI, 

TITLE VI. 

MILITARY BRANCH. 

L Formation and powers of the Supreme Council of the Uniform Rank, and 

duties of the Adjutant General. 
II. Powers and duties of the Major General. 

CHAPTER I. 

RELATING TO THE FORMATION AND POWERS OF THE SUPREME COUNCIL OF THE 
UNIFORM RANK, AND TO THE DUTIES OF THE ADJUTANT GENERAL. 

360. A Supreme Council of the Uniform Rank is hereby declared,, 
which shall meet in each intervening year between the conventions of the 
Supreme Lodge, at such time and at such place as the Supreme Council 
may by law designate at each meeting; and, in case the Supreme Council 
shall fail to designate a place of meeting, the Supreme Chancellor and the 
Major General shall call said Supreme Council to meet in the city of 
Indianapolis, Indiana, at such time as they may agree upon. 

361. The Supreme Council shall consist of the Major General, the 
Adjutant General and the Brigadier General of each Brigade. 

362. The Major General must be a Past Grand Chancellor in good 
standing in his Grand and subordinate lodges, and a member in good 
standing in a division of the Uniform Rank. He shall be the presiding 
officer of the Supreme Council. He shall be nominated by the members 
of the Supreme Council to the Supreme Lodge, and upon the ratification 
of said nomination by the Supreme Lodge, he shall be commissioned by 
the Supreme Chancellor for a term of two years, and shall retain his said 
office until his successor shall be nominated and commissioned. He shall 
receive such compensation for his services as the Supreme Council may 
from time to time determine. 

363. The Supreme Chancellor shall be a member of the Supreme 
Council; and any Supreme or Past Supreme Officer, Supreme or Past 
Supreme Representative, in good standing in his subordinate lodge, or any 
member of the Uniform Rank in good standing, shall have the right of 
admission thereto, but not the right to speak upon any question except by 
the unanimous consent of the Supreme Council. 

364. The Supreme Council shall have the power to legislate for the 
Uniform Rank in all matters relating to the Uniform Rank, except those 
which the Supreme Lodge has reserved to itself ; enact laws for its own 
government; have final jurisdiction in all matters of appeal in the Uniform 
Rank; appoint such officers and committees (except as are now provided 
for) as the nature of the organization may require; provided that no 
legislation shall be had by said Council which is in contravention of the 
constitution and laws of the Supreme Lodge, 



Chap. IL] STATUTES. 103 

365. The Supreme Council shall provide a revenue for itself, and have 
full control of all supplies necessary for the maintenance of the Uniform 
Rank, contract for the same, place a price thereon at which the same shall 
be furnished to the rank organizations (except the rituals of the rank, 
which are promulgated and printed by and under the authority of the 
Supreme Lodge, but the Supreme Lodge shall furnish the same to the 
Uniform Rank at cost) ; and all dues and revenues now paid to the Supreme 
Lodge by the Uniform Rank shall hereafter be paid to the Supreme 
Council, under such regulations as the Supreme Council may adopt. 

366. The Adjutant General shall be the clerical, financial and dis- 
bursing officer of the Supreme Council, under such regulations as it may 
adopt. He shall give a bond to the Supreme Lodge, in such sum as the 
Supreme Council may designate. He shall receive all monej'^s of the 
Supreme Council, make such report thereto as it may by law designate, 
and be the custodian of, and be held responsible for, all supplies of the 
Uniform Rank. His books and accounts shall at all times be open to the 
inspection of any authority designated by the Supreme Council or the 
Supreme Lodge. 

367. The Adjutant General shall be the Recorder of the Supreme 
Council, and shall receive such compensation for his services as the 
Supreme Council may from time to time determine. 

368. The rates of mileage and per diem of the members of the Supreme 
Council shall be such as the Supreme Council may from time to time 
designate, and the Supreme Lodge shall not in any manner be responsible 
for any of the financial obligations of the Uniform Rank or the Supreme 
Council thereof. 

369. All members of the Uniform Rank must be members in good 
standing in their respective subordinate lodges of the order of Knights of 
Pythias. 

370. In the recess between the sessions of the Supreme Council, the 
Supreme Chancellor is authorized to fix the amount of and approve the 
bond herein required of the Adjutant General. 

371. All moneys accruing from the Uniform Rank shall be paid into 
the Supreme Lodge treasury, and all expenses of the Major General's office 
shall be paid out of the same, as provided by law hitherto, until April 1, 
1895. 

CHAPTER II. 

RELATING TO THE POWERS AND DUTIES OF THE MAJOR GENERAL. 

372. The Major General of the fnilitary branch of the order, known as 
the Uniform Rank, in addition to the powers and duties designated in the 
laws of such branch, shall have the powers and duties designated in this 
statute. 



iO-lr SUPREME ' [Title VI. 

373. The Major General shall have command of and exercise a watch- 
ful supervision over all bodies of the military branch of the order, and see 
that the Supreme law relating thereto is duly and promptly observed and 
obeyed, and that the work of such branch is everywhere uniform. To 
this end, he may visit and preside over all bodies included in the military 
branch of the order, and give such instructions or directions as, under the 
Supreme law, the prosperity of such branch may require. 

374. The Major General shall appoint the members of his individual 
staff, and, when present at any general assembly of the military branch, 
shall take command. He shall examine, in conjunction with the Supreme 
Chancellor, all laws enacted by any body of the military branch, which 
laws, upon being approved by the Supreme Chancellor and the Major Gen- 
eral, shall become the laws governing such body; provided that such 
approval shall not be a bar to proceedings before the Supreme Tribunal in 
which the constitutionality of such laws may be called in question. 

375. The Major General shall keep a register of all warrants issued 
and all divisions instituted, with the location, number and date of institu- 
tion of each, and shall provide himself, at the expense of the Supreme 
Council, with such books and stationery as may be necessary for the proper 
discharge of his duties. 

376. The Major General shall prepare and furnish the forms for all 
blanks required by the military branch of the order. 

377. The Major General shall decide all tactical questions and all ques- 
tions connected with the general government and management of the 
military branch of the order, subject, however, to the right of appeal to the 
Supreme Council. 

378. The Major General shall review and approve, or disapprove, all 
court martial proceedings in which the penalty is suspension or dishonor- 
able discharge, subject, however, to the right of appeal therefrom to the 
Supreme Council. 

379. The Major General and the Adjutant General shall submit their 
books and accounts for inspection or audit by the Supreme Chancellor or 
the Supreme Lodge Committee on Finance, whenever so required by him 
or it. 

380. The Major General shall promulgate the countersign of the mili- 
tary branch to all divisions of such branch, and shall, at each biennial con- 
vention of the Supreme Lodge, present a full report of the transactions of 
his office, and of the iz'eneral condition of the military branch of the order 
during the preceding biennial term. 



Ohap. I.] STATUTES. 105 

TITLE VII. 

EITUALS. 
I. Providing for their printing, publication, issue, distribution and custody. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO PROVIDE FOR THE PRINTING, PUBLICATION, ISSUE, DISTRIBUTION AND CUSTODY 
OF THE RITUALS OF THE ORDER. 

381. All rituals of the order shall be printed and published under the 
direct personal supervision and control of the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal. 

382. No person whosoever, not under the supervision and control, 
direct or indirect, of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, shall at smj 
time or place make any written or printed copy of any rituals of the order, 
or of any part thereof, or any cipher thereof. Any person who shall vio- 
late the provisions of this section shall be deemed guilty of an offence 
against the order, and shall, upon conviction, be expelled from the order. 

383. The rituals of the order shall be printed and published only in 
the English language, except as may be hereafter authorized. 

384. The rituals of the Supreme Lodge, at all times when not in actual 
use during a convention of the Supreme Lodge, shall be in the custody of 
the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal; provided that he may deliver 
to the Supreme Chancellor, or to the chairman of the Committee on Secret 
Work, or to the chairman of any committee on the revision of such rituals, 
or to the Chief Tribune of the Supreme Tribunal, one copy of any ritual 
of the order, for such temporary use as either of them may desire; but it 
shall be the duty of any person so receiving a copy of any ritual to return 
it to the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, immediately upon complet- 
ing its use. 

385. The rituals for Grand Lodges shall be kept in stock by the 
Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, and shall be issued by him only as 
follows: four copies to the Supreme Chancellor or to his deputy, at the 
institution of a new Grand Lodge, for the use of such Grand Lodge; or upon 
the written order of a Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, for the use of 
his Grand Lodge, not exceeding four copies, to replace such as may have 
been lost or destroyed, such order to be under seal of the Grand Lodge, 
and to certify to such loss or destruction; or upon the written order of a 
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, under seal of his Grand Lodge, and 
for its use; in exchange for an equal number of copies which may have 
become worn or mutilated, and which are returned with the order to the 
Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, by whom they shall be immediately 
burned. 

386. The rituals for Grand Lodges, which may be issued to any Grand 
Lodge, shall be in the custody and control of the Grand Keeper of Records 



106 SUPREME [Title Vll, 

and Seal at all times when not in use in its conventions; provided that a 
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal may deliver to his Grand Chancellor, 
or to the Chairman of the Committee on Secret Work of his Grand Lodge, 
or to the Chief Tribune of his Grand Tribunal, if there be one, a copy of 
any Grand or subordinate lodge ritual in his custody, for any temporar\' 
use which either of them may desire to make; but it shall be the duty of 
the person receiving such ritual to return it to the Grand Keeper of Records 
and Seal, immediately upon completing its use. 

387. Each Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, after his installation 
and upon receiving from his predecessor the books and properties of his 
office, shall give to such predecessor his written receipt for the number of 
rituals of any kind so delivered to him. 

388. Rituals for subordinate lodges shall be kept in stock by the 
Supreme Keeeper of Records and Seal, and shall be issued by him only as 
follows: to grand lodges, for the use of subordinate lodges in their respect- 
ive domains, upon the written order of a Grand Keeper of Records and 
Seal, under seal of his Grand Lodge, in such quantities as may be required 
for the use of the subordinate lodges in such domain; or to a District Dep- 
uty Supreme Chancellor in charge of territory not within the domain of a 
Grand Lodge, upon his written order therefor, in such quantities as may 
be necessary for the use of subordinate lodges under his care. 

389. The rituals for subordinate loges which may be issued to any 
Grand Lodge shall be kept in stock by the Grand Keeper of Records and 
Seal, and shall be issued by him only as follows: to the Grand Chancellor 
of such Grand Lodge, or to his deputy, at the institution of a new subor- 
dinate lodge, five copies, for the use of such subordinate lodge; or upon 
the written order of the Keeper of Records and Seal of a subordinate 
lodge within its domain, and under seal of such lodge, to replace such as 
may have been lost or destioyed, the order certifying to such loss or 
destruction; or upon the written order of a Keeper of Records and Seal, 
under seal of his lodge and for its use, in exchange for an equal number of 
copies which may have become worn or mutilated and which are returned 
to the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal with the order. Such returned 
copies shall be at once burned by the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal. 

390. The rituals for subordinate lodges, which may be issued to any 
District Deputy Supreme Chancellor, shall be issued by him to subordinate 
lodges under his care, subject to all the provisions of the preceding section, 
so far as the same may apply. 

391. The rituals for subordinate lodges which, under the provisions of 
this chapter, may be received by any subordinate lodge, shall be in the 
custody and control of the Chancellor Commander of such subordinate 
lodge, except when they may be in actual use during a convention thereof. 
When not in use, they shall be kept by him securely locked in a box or 
other receptacle prepared therefor. At the installation of officers for a. 



Chap. I.] STATUTES. 107 

new term, the outgoing Chancellor Commander shall deliver the rituals in 
his custody to the installing officer, and they shall be delivered by such 
installing officer to the incoming Chancellor Commander, upon his receipt 
therefor. 

392. No Chancellor Commander shall loan any ritual for subordinate 
lodges, which may be in his custody, to any officer or member of the order 
whomsoever, nor permit such ritual to be taken from the lodge room; but 
he may permit such ritual to be used within the lodge room by any officer 
or member who has attained the rank of Knight, who may desire to famil- 
iarize himself therewith, upon pledge of his knightly honor that such ritual 
pliall not be taken from the lodge room. 



108 SUPREME [Title VIII, 

TITLE VIII. 

SEMI-ANNUAL PASSWORD. 

I. Its promulgation, issue and use. 
II. Officers qualified to receive. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO REGULATE THE PROMULGATION, ISSUE AND USE OP SEMI-ANNUAL 
PASSWORDS. 

393. It shall be the duty of the Supreme Chancellor, during the 
months of April and October in each year, to select a semi-annual pass- 
word for the use of all subordinate lodges of the order during the ensuing 
semi-annual term. 

394. The Supreme Chancellor, on or before the first days of May and 
November in each year, shall transmit, through the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal, the semi-annual password which he may have selected 
for the ensuing semi-annual term, to the Grand Chancellor of each Grand 
Lodge not under suspension, and to each Deputy Supreme Chancellor who 
may be in charge of one or more subordinate lodges not within the domain 
of a Grand Lodge, by registered mail to his address as shown upon the 
books of the Supreme Lodge. In the transmission of the semi-annual pass- 
word, the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall use such cipher as the 
Supreme Chancellor may direct or approve, and shall exercise the utmost 
care to prevent such password from becoming known to any unauthorized 
person. 

395. Each Grand Chancellor who may receive the semi-annual pass- 
word under the provisions of the preceding section, shall, on or before the 
first day of June and December of each year, transmit such password to 
the Deputy Grand Chancellor or other installing officer of each subordinate 
lodge within the domain, not under suspension; provided that such semi- 
annual password shall not be transmitted to any Deputy Grand Chancellor 
other installing officer who shall not have filed, during the then current 
semi-annual term, in the office of the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, 
a certificate from the subordinate lodge of which such deputy or installing 
officer is a member, that he has paid all dues or other indebtedness to his 
lodge to the beginning of such term, and that he is in good standing in 
such subordinate lodge. In the transmission of the semi-annual password, 
the Giand Keeper of Records and Seal shall use such cipher as the Grand 
Chancellor may direct or approve, and shall use the utmost care to prevent 
such password from becoming known to any unauthorized person. Eacli 
Deputy Supreme Chancellor shall transmit the semi-annual password 
received by him to the installing officer of each subordinate lodge under his 
charge, and all the provisions of this section shall apply, so fai* as may be, 
to such transmission. 



Chap. I.] 



STATUTES. 



109 



396. The semi-annnal password shall be communicated by the District 
Deputy Grand Chancellor or other installing officer to the Chancellor Com- 
mander of each subordinate lodge under his charge, at the time and in the 
manner provided in the installation ceremony. 

397. Each Chancellor Commander shall, upon application therefor, 
personally and orally communicate the current semi-annual password to 
any member of the order who has attained the rank of Knight, who is in 
good standing in the subordinate lodge over which such Chancellor Com- 
mander presides, and to none others, except as provided in this statute. 

398. Any member of the order who has attained the rank of Knight, 
and who is in good standing in his subordinate lodge, who shall be unable 
to obtain the password for the current semi-annual term personally and 
orally from the Chancellor Commander of his subordinate lodge, shall be 
entitled to an order addressed to any Chancellor Commander to whom the 
same may be presented, requesting him to communicate to the member 
named therein the password for the semi-annual term in which such order 
is dated. The blanks for the orders described in this section shall be fur- 
nished only by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, and shall be in 
form as follows: 



{Stub.) 

No 

Order for semi- 
annual password 
for the term begin- 



18 , 


issued 


to 




p. 


c 


Date 







ORDER FOR SEMI-ANNUAL PASSWORD. 

Lodge, No , K. P., of^ 



To any Chancellor Commander to whom these 
presents shall come, greeting: 

Brother , the bearer hereof, is 

entitled, upon presentation of this order, together 
with an official receipt for all indebtedness to this 
lodge to the beginning of the semi-annual term 
within which this order bears date, to receive the 
semi-annual password for such term. 

Please invest him therewith, and take up and 
destroy this order. 

Dated this day of , 18 — , P. P. -. 



-, a C. 

-, K. R. S, 



On the back of the order shall appear the Great Seal of the Supreme 
Lodge and the signature of the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal, 
together with section 400 of this statute. No order for the semi-annual 
password shall be valid unless upon the blank form herein prescribed. 

399. No order for the semi-annual password shall be issued to a mem- 
ber of a subordinate lodge, at a time or during a period when such subor- 
dinate lodge shall be without the word and not entitled to the promulga- 
tion thereof. 



110 SUPREME [Title VIII. 

400. Upon presentation of an order for the semi-annual password, 
upon an official blank dated in the current semi-annual term and properly 
signed and sealed, together with the official receipt described therein, to 
any Chancellor Commander, by one who shall by personal identification 
or examination in the secret work, or both, prove himself to be the person 
designated in such order and official receipt, then such Chancellor Com- 
mander shall personally and orally communicate to him the semi-annual 
password described therein; provided that, should the person presenting 
such order and official receipt be intoxicated or insane, then such Chan- 
cellor Commander may refuse to communicate to him the semi-annual 
password; but in such case he shall at once notify the Chancellor Com- 
mander issuing the order, of his action and of the reason therefor. When 
a Chancellor Commander shall invest a brother with the semi-annual pass- 
word under the provisions of this section, he shall in every case imme- 
diately take up and destroy the order therefor. 

401. The Supreme Chancellor may, in his discretion, invest a person 
presenting a properly executed order therefor, together with the required 
official receipt, with the semi-annual password, and in such case he shall 
immediately take up and destroy the order, as provided in the preceding 
section. 

402. The use of the semi-annual password shall be at all times strictly 
limited by the provisions of the rituals of the order. 

403. The Supreme Chancellor may at any time, when in his judgment 
the good of the order shall so require, abrogate and annul the semi-annual 
password then in use ; but, in such case, he shall at the same time select 
and promulgate, in the manner provided in section 394 of this statute, a 
new password for the use of subordinate lodges during the remainder of 
the current semi-annual term. 

CHAPTER II. 

TO CONSTRUE THE PORTION OP THE OBLIGATION RELATING TO THE SEMI- 
ANNUAL PASSWORD. 

404. The terms "Outer Guard" and "Master at Arms," as particularly 
designated in the obligation, are hereby construed to include the corres- 
ponding officers of the Supreme Lodge and of Grand Lodges, so far as the 
same relate to officers qualified to receive the semi-annual password. 



Ohap. 1.] STATUTES 111 

TITLE IX. 

OFFENCES. 

I, Defining offences against the order — penalties. 

II. Forbidding certain uses of the name, emblems, mottoes and colors of the order. 
III. Offences of Grand Lodges and officers thereof. 

CHAPTER I. 

TO DEFINE OFFENCES AGAINST THE ORDER, AND TO PRESCRIBE THE PENALTIES 
WHICH MAY BE INFLICTED THEREFOR. 

405. Any member of the order who shall violate any pledge contained 
in tlie obligations of any rank of knighthood, or of any legislative rank 
which he may have received, shall be deemed guilty of an offence against 
the order, and shall be subject, upon conviction thereof, to expulsion from 
the order, to suspension from the order for a definite period or to suspen- 
sion from the order for an indefinite period. 

406. Any member of the order who shall violate any law of the state 
or country of his residence, or any of the rules of reputable society, shall 
be deemed guilty of conduct unbecoming a Knight of Pythias, and upon 
conviction thereof, may be punished by reprimand, by suspension, either 
definite or indefinite,- or by expulsion, and not otherwise, as may be deter- 
mined by the subordinate lodge before whom his guilt has been established. 
The certified record of any court before whom the member has been con- 
victed of such offence may be used as evidence in his trial by the lodge, 
but shall not be conclusive of his guilt. 

407. Any member of the order who shall defraud, or attempt to 
defraud, the Supreme Lodge, or who shall publicly attack or scandalize the 
Supreme Lodge or any officer or member thereof as such, or the Supreme 
Tribunal or any Supreme Tribune as such, shall be deemed guilty of an 
offence against the order, and upon conviction thereof, he maybe punished 
by reprimand, by suspension, either definite or indefinite, or by expulsion 
from the order. 

408. Any member of the order who shall neglect or refuse to obey the 
Supreme law or any part thereof, or who shall neglect or refuse to obey any 
legal mandate or order of the Supreme Chancellor, shall be deemed guilty 
of an offence against the order, and, upon conviction thereof, may be pun- 
ished by reprimand, by suspension, either definite or indefinite, or by 
expulsion. 

409. Any member of the order who shall neglect or refuse obedience 
to the laws enacted by his Grand Lodge, or to the legal mandates of any 
officer thereof, or who shall defraud or attempt to defraud such Grand 
Lodge, or who shall publicly attack or scandalize such Grand Lodge or any 
member thereof as such, shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the 
order, and upon conviction thereof, may be punished by reprimand, sus- 
pension, either definite or indefinite, or by expulsion from the order. 



112 SUPREME [Title IX^ 

410. All}'' member of the order who shall wilfully violate any law or 
by-law of his subordinate lodge, or who shall defraud or attempt to defraud 
such lodge, or who shall publicly attack or scandalize such lodge or the 
order or any member thereof as such, shall be deemed guilty of an offence 
against the order, and, upon conviction thereof, may be punished. by rep- 
rimand, by fine, by suspension, either definite or indefinite, or by expul- 
sion from the order. 

411. Any member of the order, not now engaged in either of the occu- 
pations known as professional gambler, saloon-keeper, bar-tender or retail 
dealer in spirituous liquors, wine, ale or beer (except as a bona fide hotel- 
keeper or druggist), who shall hereafter engage in either of such occupa- 
tions, shall be deemed guilty of an offence against the order, and, upon 
conviction thereof, shall be suspended or expelled, as the subordinate lodge 
of which he is a member may determine. 

412. Any member of the order, hereafter initiated, who shall engage 
in either of the occupations known as saloon-keeper, bar-tender or retail 
dealer in spirituous liquors, wine, ale or beer (except as a bona fide hotel- 
keeper or druggist), or who shall become a professional gambler, shall be 
deemed guilty of an offence against the order, and, upon conviction thereof, 
shall be punished by suspension for a definite or indefinite time or by 
expulsion. 

413. Any officer of any Grand Lodge or of any subordinate lodge, who 
shall be guilty of any malfeasance in office, or of wilful neglect or refusal 
promptly and faithfully to discharge the duties of such office, shall be 
deemed guilty of an offence against the order, and upon conviction thereof, 
may be removed from office, suspended from the body in which he holds 
such membership, or from the order, either definitely or indefinitely, or 
expelled from the body or from the order; provided that, of all offences 
defined in this section, the body in which the offender may hold office shall 
have original jurisdiction. 

414. Wilful failure or refusal to abide by or perform any judgment, 
mandate or decree of the Supreme Tribunal, by any party thereto, is 
hereby declared to be an offence against the order, the penalty for which, 
upon conviction, shall be as follows: 

Par. 1. If an officer or member of the order — expulsion from the order. 
Par. 2. If a Grand Lodge or a subordinate lodge — revocation of its war- 
rant or charter. 

415. To resist or wilfully obstruct the due execution or enforcement 
of any judgment, mandate or decree of the Supreme Tribunal, or to aid or 
abet another in so doing, is hereby declared to be an offence against the 
order, the penalty for which, upon conviction, shall be as follows: 

Par. 1. If a member of the order — expulsion from the order. 
Par. 2. If a Grand Lodge or a subordinate lodge — revocation of its war- 
rant or charter. 



Chap. II.l STATUTES. 113 

416. A member of the order, who for any cause whatever shall wil- 
fully renounce the order or the obligations thereof, shall be deemed guilty 
of an offence against the order, and, upon conviction thereof, shall be 
expelled from the order. 

417. For the purposes of trial and punishment, the words, "member 
of the order," as used in this chapter, shall be held to include ex-members 
of the order, suspended members and members under suspension for any 
cause whatsoever. 

CHAPTER II. 

TO FORBID CERTAIN USES OF THE NAME, EMBLEMS, MOTTOES, DEVICES, CRE- 
DENTIALS OR DIPLOMAS OF THE ORDER, OR ANY TERM DERIVED FROM OR 
ASSOCIATED THEREWITH, AND TO PRESCRIBE THE PENALTIES THEREFOR AND 
THE MANNER OF THEIR ENFORCEMENT. 

418. The use of the name of the order, or of any term derived from 
or germane thereto, or the use of the emblems, mottoes or devices, cre- 
dentials or diplomas thereof, by any body or organization of the order, or 
by any member thereof, affiliated or non-affiliated, for any of the purposes 
or in any manner described in this statute, is hereby declared to be an 
offence against the order, and is expressly prohibited and forbidden. 

419. No body or organization of the order, nor any member thereof, 
affiliated or non-affiliated, shall use the name of the order or any term 
derived therefrom or germane thereto, or any emblem, motto or device 
belonging thereto, for the promotion of any lottery, raffle, gift enterprise 
or other scheme of chance. The warrant or charter of any body or organi- 
zation violating the provisions of this section shall be revoked. Any 
member of the order who shall violate the provisions of this section shall 
be suspended or expelled from the order, as may be determined by the 
subordinate lodge having jurisdiction. 

420. No body or organization of the order, nor any member thereof ,^, 
affiliated or non-affiliated, shall use the name of the order, or any term,, 
derived therefrom or germane thereto, as the name or title of any associa- 
tion or society engaged in the business of life insurance or the payment of 
endowment, death or accident benefits, or in any constitution, laws, cir- 
culars, advertisements or literature of such association or society other 
than the insurance branch of the order; provided that this section shall 
not prohibit a subordinate lodge from paying to beneficiaries of its own 
members death benefits additional to or in excess of the amount provided 
by the laws of such lodge, or prevent the members of lodges in the same 
Grand Domain from associating for the purpose of paying to members 
benefits during sickness only. The warrant or charter of any body or 
organization of the order violating this section shall be revoked; and any 
member of the order violating the provisions of this section, or becoming 
a member of any such association or society, shall be suspended or ex- 
pelled from the order, as may be determined by the subordinate lodge 
having jurisdiction. 



114 SUPREME [Title IX, 

421. No member of the order, affiliated or non-affiliated, shall use the 
name of the order, or any term derived therefrom or germane thereto, or 
any emblem, motto or device belonging thereto, as a trade-mark, or in 
connection with any advertisement or circular, or in any other manner for 
his pecuniary benefit or business purposes, except in advertising the 
manufacture or sale of Pythian goods or publications. Any member of 
the order violating the provisions of this section shall be subject to sus- 
pension or expulsion, as may be determined by the subordinate lodge 
having jurisdiction. 

422. No body or organization of the order, nor any member thereof, 
affiliated or non-affiliated, shall use the name of the order, nor any term 
derived therefrom or germane thereto or to either of its branches, or shall 
display or cause to be displayed any flag, colors, emblem, motto, credential 
or diploma of the order, in, over or upon any place of business devoted to 
the sale of spirits, wines or malt liquors, and commonly known as a saloon, 
or in or upon any hotel bar where are sold spirits, wines or malt liquors, 
or in or upon any place of business devoted wholly or in part to any game 
or scheme of chance. The warrant or charter of any body or organization 
violating the provisions of this section shall be revoked. Any member of 
the order violating the provisions of this section shall be expelled from 
the order. 

423. No member of the order, or of any organization thereof, shall, at 
any time, while clothed in the uniform of the military branch of the order 
or any part of such uniform, or while wearing any jewel of rank or office 
in the order, knowingly enter any public bar devoted to the sale of spirits, 
wines or malt liquors, or any gaming house, or any house or other place of 
notorious disrepute. Any member of the order violating the provisions of 
this section shall be expelled from the order. 

424. No body or organization of the order, nor any member thereof, 
affiliated or non-affiliated, nor association of such members, shall use the 
name of the order, or any term derived therefrom or germane thereto, or 
any emblem, motto, device, banner or colors thereof, in connection with 
any demonstration, excursion, meeting, ball, concert or other entertainment 
given on the first day of the week, commonh'^ known as Sunday, or in any 
advertisement, circular or other printed matter or announcement relating 
thereto or for the promotion thereof. The warrant or charter of any body 
or organization of the order violating the provisions of this section shall 
be revoked. Any member of the order, or of any organization thereof, 
violating the provisions of this section, shall be suspended or expelled, as 
may be determined by the subordinate lodge or the division of the Uniform 
Rank having jurisdiction. 

425. No, body or organization of the order, nor any member thereof, 
affiliated or non-affiliated, nor association of such members, shall allow or 
permit the sale or gift of spirits, wines or malt liquors at any convention of 
a lodge, excursion, demonstration, ball, concert or other entertainment 



Chap. II.] STATUTES. 115 

which may be given by them, and at which the name of the order or any 
term derived therefrom or germane thereto, or any motto, device, banner, 
emblem or colors of the order, shall be used. The warrant or charter of 
any body or organization of the order violating the provisions of this sec- 
tion shall be revoked. Any member of the order who, by himself or in 
association with other persons, whether members of the order or not, shall 
violate the provisions of this section, shall be suspended or expelled, as 
may be determined by the subordinate lodge having jurisdiction. 

426. Should the Supreme Chancellor become cognizant of any viola- 
tion or imfraction, direct or indirect, of the provisions of this statute, or of 
any of them, he is hereby authorized and directed to enforce the provisions 
and penalties thereof, as follows : 

Par. 1. If the offender be a Grand Lodge or a Grand Chancellor acting 
in his official capacity, the Supreme Chancellor shall at once proceed in 
accordance with the provisions of title ix, chapter iii. Supreme Statutes. 

Par. 2. If the offender be other than a Grand Lodge or a Grand Chan- 
cellor acting in his official capacity, the Supreme Chancellor shall formulate, 
or cause to be formulated, the necessary complaint or charges against such 
offender or offenders, and shall forward them to the Grand Chancellor of 
the Grand Domain having jurisdiction over such offender or offenders, and 
shall order such Grand Chancellor to proceed at once as follows: If the 
offender be a subordinate lodge, the charges shall be preferred in the Grand 
Lodge, and such subordinate lodge shall be subject to notice, summons and 
trial, as may be provided for other violations of the Supreme law by subordi- 
nate lodges, and, if adjudged guilty, it shall be subject to the penalties pro- 
vided in this statute. If the offender or offenders be officers or individual 
members of the order, affiliated or non-affiliated, the Grand Chancellor 
shall file the complaint or charges in a subordinate lodge having jurisdic- 
tion, and shall order the trial of the offender or offenders in the manner 
provided for other violations of the Supreme law, and, in case of convic- 
tion, the accused shall be subject to the penalties provided in this statute. 

Par. 3. In case a subordinate lodge shall refuse to hear and try the 
charges so preferred by the Grand Chancellor, he shall at once suspend the 
warrant or charter of such subordinate lodge, if so ordered by the Supreme 
Chancellor. 

Par. 4. If the subordinate lodge shall, after trial, fail or refuse to con- 
vict a member against whom such complaint and charges have been filed, 
any member thereof or the Grand Chancellor may, in his discretion, 
appeal to the Grand Lodge or Grand Tribunal having jurisdiction of the 
case. If, upon final hearing, the offender or offenders be convicted of the 
offence charged, and the trial subordinate lodge shall still fail or refuse to 
inflict the penalty prescribed by this statute^ and ordered to be imposed by 
the tribunal of final hearing in the case, the Supreme Chancellor shall 
thereupon order the Grand Chancellor of the Grand Domain in which such 
subordinate lodge is located at once to suspend the warrant or charter of 



116 SUPREME [Title IX, 

such subordinate lodge; provided that, should a majority of the members 
of such subordinate lodge, prior to the next convention of its Grand Lodge, 
petition the Grand Chancellor for permission to rescind the action upon 
which suspension was based, he may authorize such subordinate lodge to 
take the action proposed in the petition, and, upon compliance by such 
subordinate lodge with the orders or judgment made in the case, he shall 
revoke his order suspending the warrant or charter of such lodge. 

Par. 5. When the warrant or charter of a lodge is suspended under 
paragraph 3 or 4 of this section, the Grand Chancellor shall at once prefer 
charges in the Grand Lodge against such subordinate lodge, setting forth 
clearly the offence with which it is charged and for the alleged commission 
of which the suspension was ordered, specifying the time, place and other 
material circumstances, and file said charges in the office of the Grand 
Keeper of Records and Seal. A copy of said charges shall be sent by the 
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, by registered mail, to the Chancellor 
Commander of such lodge, together with a summons requiring the lodge 
to appear at the next convention of the Grand Lodge, to answer the same. 
If, upon hearing the evidence produced by the parties respective!)'', the 
Grand Lodge shall find the subordinate lodge guilty of the offence charged, 
the penalty shall be revocation of its warrant or charter, or the further sus- 
pension thereof for such time as the Grand Lodge may determine. If the 
said charges be not sustained, the order of suspension theretofore made by 
the Grand Chancellor shall stand revoked. 

Par. 6. If the subordinate lodge be not within the domain of a Grand 
Lodge, then the orders herein provided to be given by the Grand Chancellor 
shall be given with like force and effect by the Supreme Chancellor, and 
the trial of said subordinate lodge shall be had in the Supreme Lodge. 

427. In all trials arising under this statute, the Supreme Chancellor or 
the Grand Chancellor may designate and commission any member or mem- 
bers of the order in good standing to represent him as attorney or counsel 
in the prosecution of such complaint or charges ; and such attorney or 
counsel shall be and is hereby empowered to do and perform any act or 
thing usually done or performed by attorneys as such, and which may be 
necessary to the conduct of said trial, and to the full and final hearing of 
all the facts, pleadings and issues. All evidence taken in such trial shall 
be reduced to writing and entered on the records of the trial body. 

428. Nothing in this statute shall be construed to prevent a member 
of the order in good standing, other than the Supreme Chancellor, from 
commencing and prosecuting complaints and charges for the offences 
herein enumerated. 

CHAPTER III. 

TO DEFINE CERTAIN OFFENCES BY GRAND LODGES AND OFFICERS THEREOF, 
AND TO PROVIDE FOR THEIR PUNISHMENT. 

429. If a Grand Lodge, or any officer thereof in his official capacity, 
shall wilfully or persistently neglect or refuse to observe and in all respects 



Chap. III.] STATUTES. 117 

to conform to the rituals of the order, or either of them, or shall suffer or 
permit any subordinate lodge within its domain so to do; or if a Grand 
Lodge, or any officer thereof in his official capacity, shall wilfully or per- 
sistently violate, or shall refuse to neglect or observe and enforce within its 
domain, the Supreme Constitution of the order, or any Supreme Statute 
enacted in accordance therewith, or shall suffer or permit any subordinate 
lodge within its domain so to do ; or if a Grand Lodge, or any officer thereof 
in his official capacity, shall wilfully or persistently neglect or refuse to 
obey and enforce any lawful mandate of the Supreme Chancellor, or shall 
suffer or permit any subordinate lodge within its domain so to do ; such 
Grand Lodge or officer thereof shall be guilty of an offence against the 
Supreme law and shall be subject to the proceedings and punishment 
designated in this chapter. 

430. If the Supreme Chancellor shall believe that any Grand Lodge 
has been guilty of either of the offences defined in the preceding section, 
and no convention of the Supreme Lodge is to be held within sixty days, 
he is hereby authorized and directed at once to notify such Grand Lodge, 
through its Grand Chancellor, of the offence or offences with which it is 
charged, and cite it to appear, by its Grand Chancellor, before him, within 
thirty days from the date thereof, at such time and place as shall be desig- 
nated in such notice, and show cause why its warrant or charter should not 
be suspended. The notice herein provided for shall set forth clearly the 
acts constituting such offence, and shall be served upon the Grand Chan- 
cellor of the accused Grand Lodge either by personal service or by regis- 
tered mail to his address as shown upon the books of the Supreme Lodge. 

431. At the time and place designated in the citation required by the 
preceding section, the Supreme Chancellor shall carefully and thoroughly 
investigate the charges against such Grand Lodge, as designated and set 
forth in the citation, and shall fully hear and weigh all evidence and argu- 
ments which may be presented. Any party interested may be represented 
or assisted by counsel, who shall be members of the order in good standing. 
After such hearing, if the Supreme Chancellor shall be satisfied that such 
Grand Lodge is guilty of any of the offences as to which the hearing has 
been held, he may order its warrant or charter to be suspended, either 
conditionally until revocation of its unlawful acts, or absolutely until the 
next succeeding convention of the Supreme Lodge. 

432. If the warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge shall be suspended 
under the operation of the preceding section, the Supreme Chancellor shall 
forthwith issue his order of suspension, stating therein the offence for 
which such warrant or charter has been suspended and the terms of the 
suspension, and such order of suspension shall be promulgated at once to 
every Grand and subordinate lodge of the order. If, before the next con- 
vention of the Supreme Lodge, the offending Grand Lodge shall comply 
with all the conditions stated in the order of suspension, the Supreme 
Chancellor shall, upon receipt of official notice thereof, revoke such order 



118 SUPREME [Title IX, 

of suspension, and notice of such revocation shall be at once promulgated 
to every Grand and subordinate lodge of the order. 

433. If, after the hearing and before the decision provided for in sec- 
tion 431, the Supreme Chancellor shall be in doubt as to any question of 
Pythian law involved in the case, he may, at his pleasure, propound such 
question of law to the Supreme Tribunal, and request its reply for his 
information. The Supreme Tribunal shall as speedily as possible consider 
such question, and certify its conclusions to the Supreme Chancellor. 

434. If any Grand Lodge shall refuse to obey the citation provided for 
in section 430, and shall fail to appear as required thereby, the Supreme 
Chancellor may proceed at once with the investigation, and, if satisfied 
that such Grand Lodge is guilty of the oflfences charged, he may at once 
order its warrant or charter suspended, as provided in section 431. 

435. If the warrant or charter of any Grand Lodge shall be suspended 
in accordance with section 431 or section 434, or if the next convention of 
the Supreme Lodge is to be held within sixty days from the time when the 
Supreme Chancellor shall come to the belief specified in section 430, then 
he shall, not less than thirty days prior to such convention of the Supreme 
Lodge, by notice addressed to the Grand Keeper of Records and Seal of 
such Grand Lodge, and in the manner provided in section 430, cite it to 
appear thereat, by its Supreme Representatives, and show cause why its 
warrant or charter should not be suspended or finally revoked for the 
causes specified in such citation. At such convention of the Supreme 
Lodge, the Supreme Chancellor shall make full report of all facts in his 
possession and of his action thereon, whereupon the accused Grand Lodge 
shall be fully heard in defence. All parties to such hearing may be repre- 
sented or assisted by counsel, who must be Past Grand Chancellors in good 
standing who have received the Supreme Lodge Rank. 

436. After the hearing required by the preceding section, the Supreme 
Lodge shall determine by secret ball ballot the guilt or innocence of the 
accused Grand Lodge. If the ballot result in conviction, the Supreme 
Lodge shall proceed, without the intervention of recess or adjournment or 
of other business, to determine the penalty which shall be inflicted upon 
the off'ending Grand Lodge. Such penalty may be the revocation of its 
warrant or charter, or the suspension of its warrant or charter until the 
next succeeding convention of the Supreme Lodge, or the suspension of its 
warrant or charter conditioned to terminate upon the revocation of its 
unlawful acts and its full conformity to the Supreme law, upon which pen- 
alties vote shall be taken by secret ball ballot in the order named. During 
proceedings under this chapter, members of the Supreme Lodge who are 
also members of the accused Grand Lodge shall be permitted to participate 
in the hearing, but at the close of such hearing, and before either of the 
votes defined herein is taken, all persons who are members of the order 
within the domain of such Grand Lodge, and all persons who may have 
acted as counsel for either party during the hearing, shall retire from the 



Chap. III.] STATUTES. Ill) 

Supreme Lodge and shall not be present during any part of such voting. 
In votiiig upon the question of guilt or innocence, black balls shall indicate 
guilt and white balls innocence, and a number of black balls equal to a 
majority of all members of the Supreme Lodge not also members of the 
accused Grand Lodge shall be necessary for conviction. In voting upon 
questions of penalty, black balls shall be held in favor of the penalty under 
consideration, and white balls opposed, and the vote of a majority of all 
members of the Supreme Lodge who are not members of the accused Grand 
Lodge shall be necessary to inflict either of the penalties described in this 
section. If the requisite number of members shall not vote in favor of 
either of the penalties herein defined, then the Supreme Chancellor shall 
in open Supreme Lodge reprimand the offending Grand Lodge, and the 
order of suspension shall stand revoked. All ballots taken under this 
section shall be inspected jointly by the Supreme Chancellor, the Supreme 
Vice Chancellor and the Supreme Prelate, who shall agree as to the result, 
which shall then be declared by the Supreme Chancellor. No ballot taken 
under this section shall be at any time reconsidered or repeated in any 
manner whatsoever. 

437. Whenever the warrant of charter of any Grand Lodge shall be 
suspended under the provisions of this chapter, the Supreme Chancellor 
shall withhold the semi-annual password from such Grand Lodge during 
the continuance of such suspension, and all Pythian intercourse with such 
Grand Lodge, or with the subordinate lodges thereof, or with their mem- 
bers or any of them, by other bodies, branches or members of the order, 
is hereby strictly prohibited and forbidden during such suspension. 

438. If the warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge shall be suspended 
or revoked by the Supreme Lodge under the pro^dsions of this statute, the 
Supreme Chancellor shall at once issue his proclamation, under the Great 
Seal of the Supreme Lodge, reciting therein the offences of which the 
offending Grand Lodge has been found guilty by the Supreme Lodge and 
the penalty which has been inflicted therefor; provided that if such 
penalty be suspension conditioned to terminate upon the performance of 
some act by such Grand Lodge, then such proclamation shall be delayed 
until sixty days after the final adjournment of the convention of the 
Supreme Lodge at which such action was had, and shall not be issued if 
within said sixty days the offending Grand Lodge shall, in the judgment 
of the Supreme Chancellor, fully conform to the conditions prescribed in 
such order of suspension. 

439. If the warrant or charter of a Grand Lodge shall be revoked 
under the provisions of this chapter, its domain and all subordinate lodges 
therein shall thereafter be deemed fully under the control of the Supreme 
Lodge, and new subordinate lodges and a new Grand Lodge may be estab- 
lished therein as if no Grand Lodge had previously existed. 

440. If the Supreme Chancellor shall be convinced that any officer 
of a Grand Lodge has been guilty of either of the offences defined in 



120 SUPREME [Title IX. 

section 429, he shall prefer, or cause to be preferred, charges against such 
officer in the subordinate lodge of which he is a member, and prosecute 
the same to a final hearing; and upon the filing of said charges in liis sub- 
ordinate lodge, the said officer shall be suspended from the exercise of his 
official functions pending such charges. 



Chap. II.] STATUTES. 121 

TITLE X. 

PYTHIAN CALENDAR 

I. Pj-^thian Period; anniversary; memorial day. 
n. Fiscal year. 

CHAPTER I. 

RELATING TO THE PYTHIAN PERIOD AND THE ANNIVERSARY AND MEMORIAL 
DAYS OF THE ORDER, 

441. The order of Kniglits of Pythias having been instituted and 
established on the 19th day of February, 1864; the Pythian Period is hereby 
declared to date therefrom, and each and every j-ear thereafter shall suc- 
ceed in numerical order, commencing with that date. 

442. The term "Pythian Period" shall be used in official documents 
emanating from or issued by any body of the order, immediately after any 

date of the vulgar era, in style and form as foUows: "This, the day 

of ,18 — , P. P. " 

443. The 19th day of February is hereby established as the anniver- 
sary day of the organization of the order. 

444. The Tuesday following the second Sunday in June, of each year, 
is hereby set apart and established as the "Memorial Day" of the order of 
Knights of Pythias, and all bodies of the order are hereby authorized and 
requested to meet in their respective localities, upon said day in each year, 
whenever practicable and convenient, for the purpose of engaging in such 
services and exercises as may be appropriate to the occasion; provided 
that a subordinate lodge may select a different day for such services when 
the circumstances render it desirable. 

CHAPTER II. 

DEFINING THE TERM, FISCAL YEAR. 

445. The term "fiscal year," wherever used in these statutes, shall be 
held to mean the period of twelve calendar months beginning April 1 of 
each calendar year and ending March 31 of the succeeding calendar year. 



122 SUPfiEMB [Title XI, 

TITLE XI. 

MISCELLANEOUS. 

I. Diplomas and credentials of rank and honor. 
II. Appeals for aid by Grand Lodges or subordinate lodges. 

III. Banner. 

IV. Forms, ceremonies and rules continued in force. 

V. Publication of the Supreme Constitution and the Supreme Statutes. 
VI. When the Supreme Statutes go into effect. 

CHAPTER L 

TO PROVIDE FOR DIPLOMAS AND CREDENTIALS OP RANK OR OP HONOR IN TH« 
ORDER, AND FOR THE PREPARATION, ISSUE AND USE THEREOF. 

446. Any member of the order who has attained the rank of Knight, 
and who is in good standing, shall be entitled to receive from his subordi- 
nate lodge, at his request and upon payment of the required fee therefor, 
a diploma of the rank of Knight, signed by the Chancellor Commander 
and Keeper of Records and Seal, and bearing the seal of bis lodge. 

447. Any member of the order who is in good standing, and who has 
attained the honor of Past Chancellor, shall be entitled to receive from his 
Grand Lodge, at his request and upon payment of the required fee there- 
for, a diploma of the honor of Past Chancellor, signed by the Grand Chan- 
cellor and Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, and bearing the seal of his 
Grand Lodge ; provided that, if the lodge of which such Past Chancellor 
is a member be not under the control of an existing Grand Lodge, then 
such diploma shall be issued upon like conditions by the Supreme Lodge, 
and shall be signed by the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Keeper 
of Records and Seal, and shall bear the seal of the Supreme Lodge. 

448. Any member of the order who is in good standing, and upon 
whom the Grand Lodge rank has been conferred, or who has attained the 
honor of Past Grand Representative, shall be entitled to receive from his 
Grand Lodge, at his request and upon payment of the required fee there- 
for, a diploma of the Grand Lodge rank or of the honor of Past Grand 
Representative, signed by the Grand Chancellor and Grand Keeper of 
Records and Seal, and bearing the seal of his Grand Lodge. 

449. Any member of the order who is in good standing, and who has 
attained the honor of Past Grand Chancellor, or who has attained the 
Supreme Lodge rank, or who has attained the honor of Past Supreme Rep- 
resentative, shall be entitled to receive from the Supreme Lodge, at his 
request and upon payment of the required fee therefor, a diploma of the 
honor of Past Grand Chancellor, or of the Supreme Lodge rank, or of the 
honor of Past Supreme Representative, as the case may be, such diploma 
to be signed by the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal. 

450. Any member of the order who is in good standing, and who by 
service has attained the honor of Past Supreme Chancellor, shall be enti- 



Chap. II.] STATUTES. 123 

tied to receive from the Supreme Lodge a diploma of the honor of Past 
Supreme Chancellor, signed by the Supreme Chancellor and the Supreme 
Keeper of Records and Seal, and bearing the Great Seal of the Supreme 
Lodge. 

4:51. Should the holder of either of the diplomas described in this 
statute be expelled from the order, such diploma may be revoked and its 
return demanded by the body issuing the same. 

452. Any member of the order removing his lodge membership from 
one to another Grand Domain, or to or from territory not under the con- 
trol of a Grand Lodge, may obtain from the Grand Keeper of Records and 
Seal of his former Grand Lodge, or from the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal, as the case may be, a credential, addressed to the Grand Lodge 
of the Grand' Domain to which he transfers his membership, or to the 
Supreme Lodge, as the case may be, certifying to any honor or to any leg- 
islative rank attained by him; and it is hereby made the duty of the proper 
Grand Keeper of Records and Seal, or of the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal, to issue such credentials of honor or rank to persons entitled 
thereto, upon payment of the required fee therefor. Such credential shall 
be deposited with the body to which it is addressed, whereupon the name 
of the holder shall be entered upon the register thereof, as of the honor or 
rank indicated therein. 

453. The blank forms of the diplomas and credentials described in this 
statute shall be prepared and furnished by the Supreme Keeper of Records 
and Seal, and not otherwise. 

454. No credential or diploma of honor or rank in the order, other 
than those described in this statute, shall be recognized as authorized or 
valid; and all Keepers of Records and Seal of either Supreme, Grand or 
subordinate lodges are hereby expressly forbidden to certify by their signa- 
tures, or to authenticate by the seal of their respective bodies, any creden- 
tial or diploma of rank or honor in the order, other than those described in 
this statute; provided that this section shall not be construed to affect the 
proper signature, authentication and validity of transfer cards and with- 
drawal cards. 

CHAPTER IT. 

TO REGULATE APPEALS FOR AID BY GRAND LODGES, SUBORDINATE LODGES OR 
MEMBERS OP THE ORDER. 

455. Appeals for aid, in behalf of a subordinate lodge or of a member 
or members thereof, may be issued and circulated within the domain of 
the Grand Lodge in which said subordinate lodge is located, only by per- 
mission of such Grand Lodge or the Grand Chancellor thereof. 

456. Appeals for aid by Grand Lodges, or by subordinate lodges within 
their domains, or by a member or members thereof as such, shall not be 
issued, circulated or read in any body of the order in the domain of any 
other Grand Lodge, except by permission of such other Grand Lodge or 



124 



SUPREME 



[Title XI, 



the Grand Chancellor thereof, nor in any subordinate lodge not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge, except by permission of the Supreme Lodge or 
the Supreme Chancellor. 

457. Appeals for aid in behalf of subordinate lodges or of members 
thereof, not within the domain of a Grand Lodge, shall not be issued, cir- 
culated or read in any body of the order in territory not within the 
domain of a Grand Lodge, except by permission of the Supreme Lodge or 
the Supreme Chancellor, nor in the domain of any Grand Lodge, except by 
permission of such Grand Lodge or the Grand Chancellor thereof. 

458. Nothing in this statute shall be construed to prohibit the 
Supreme Chancellor from issuing appeals for aid, in cases of public calamity 
or disaster, or for purposes duly approved by the Supreme Lodge. 



CHAPTER III. 

TO PRESCRIBE A BANNER FOR THE ORDER. 

459. The banner of the order shall be composed of three pieces of 
silk, of colors and sizes as follows: dark blue, size eighteen by thirty 
inches; orange yellow, size eighteen by thirty inches; crimson, size twenty- 
four by thirty-six inches. Colors and initials to be placed as shown by the 
diagram below. The full size of the banner to be three by four and one- 
half feet. The shield in the centre, embroidered or painted white, to be 
eighteen by twenty-four inches, and the rank of the lodge to be indicated 
on the shield as follows: 

Par. 1. For Supreme Lodge— a globe, encircled by the words "Supreme 
Lodge, Knights of Pythias." 

Par. 2. For Grand Lodges — the seal of such Grand Lodge or of its state, 
cerritory, district or province, encircled by the words " Grand Lodge Knights 
of Pythias of ." 

Par. 3. For subordinate lodges — the escutcheon of the order, and about 
It words and figures indicating the name, number and location of the lodge. 

Along the edges of the banner shall be fine gold lines, one and one-half 
inches deep, and on the bottom gilt fringe three or three and one-half 
inches deep. 




{Bed) 



Chap. VI.] STATUTES. 125 

460. The staff shall be of hard wood, seven or eight feet long, with a 
spear head on top, and at the ends of the cross-piece, made of similar 
wood, shall be ball and falcon spear heads. 

CHAPTER IV. 

TO CONTINUE IN FORCE THE FORMS, CEREMONIES AND RULES OF ORDER HERETO- 
FORE EXISTING, NOT IN CONFLICT WITH THE CONSTITUTION OR STATUTES. 

461. All forms, ceremonies and rules of order, heretofore prescribed 
and provided by enactment, resolution or otherwise, which are in conson- 
ance with, conformity to and not in conflict with the Supreme Constitu- 
tion or these statutes, and which were in force at the time of the adoption 
of the present Supreme Constitution, shall be and are hereby revived and 
continued in full force and efl'ect until repealed, amended or otherwise 
modified. 

CHAPTER V. 

RELATING TO THE PUBLICATION OF THE CONSTITUTION AND THE CODE OF 

STATUTES. 

462. The Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal shall cause to be pub- 
lished, in book form, not less than one thousand copies of the code of 
Supreme Statutes, together with an accurate copy of the Constitution 
adopted at this convention of the Supreme Lodge, which shall be sold 
by the Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal. Copies of the same, when 
published, shall be distributed free of cost by the Supreme Keeper of 
Records and Seal as follows: to the officers and members of the Supreme 
Lodge, to the members of the Supreme Tribunal and to the Recorder of 
said Tribunal, each one copy. The copy received by the Recorder shall be 
kept in his office for the use of the Supreme Tribunal. 

CHAPTER VI. 

PRESCRIBING THE TIME WHEN THE SUPREME STATUTES TAKE EFFECT. 

463. This code of Supreme Statutes shall take effect from and after 
its passage and adoption. 



DECLARATION OF PRINCIPLES. 



Pythian Knighthood bad its conception in the exemplification of the life 
test of true friendship existing between Damon and Pythias. 

Friendship, or mutual confidence, being the strongest bond of union 
between man and man, and only existing where honor has an abiding 
place, is adopted as a foundation principle. 

As the ideal knight of olden time was the personification of all the higher 
and nobler attributes of man's nature, the candidate for knighthood had 
to prove himself worthy of acceptance by those who valued friendship, 
bravery, honor, justice and loyalty. 

The Order of Knights of Pythias — founded in Friendship, Charity and 
Benevolence, which it proclaims as its cardinal principles — strives to gather 
into one mighty fraternity worthy m.en who appreciate the true meaning 
of friendship; who are cautious in word and act; who love truth; who 
/ire brave in defending right; whose honor is untarnished; whose sense 
of justice will prevent, to the best of their ability, a personal act or word 
injurious to the worthy; whose loyalty to principle, to family, to friends, 
to their country and to the constituted authority under which they enjoy 
citizenship is undoubted ; and who, at all times, are prepared to do unto 
others as they would that others should do unto them. 



(128) 



ACT OF INCORPORATION. 



An Act to incorporate the Supreme Lodge of the Knights of Pythias. 

Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the United States 
of America in Congress assembled, That George B. Shaw, of the city of Eau 
Claire, state of Wisconsin; William W. Blackwell, of the city of Hender- 
son, state of Kentucky; Walter B. Richie, of the city of Lima, state of 
Ohio; Robert L. C. White, of the city of Nashville, state of Tennessee; 
Philip T. Colgrove, of the city of Hastings, state of Michigan; and Tracy 
R. Bangs, of the city of Grand Forks, state of North Dakota, officers and 
members of the Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, and their successors, 
be, and they 'are hereby, incorporated and made a body politic and cor- 
porate in the District of Columbia by the name of "The Supreme Lodge 
Knights of Pythias" and by that name it may sue and be sued, plead and 
be impleaded, in any court of law or equity, and may have and use a 
common seal, and change the same at pleasure, and be entitled to use and 
exercise all the powers, rights and privileges incidental to fraternal and 
benevolent corporations within the District of Columbia. 

Sec. 2. That the said corporation shall have the power to take and hold 
real and personal estate, not exceeding in value one hundred thousand 
dollars, which shall not be divided among the members of the corporation, 
but shall descend to their successors for the promotion of the fraternal and 
])enevolent purposes of said corporation. 

Sec. 3. That all claims, accounts, debts, things in action or other mat- 
ters of business of whatever nature now existing for or against the present 
Supreme Lodge Knights of Pythias, mentioned in section 1 of this Act, 
shall survive and succeed to and against the body corporate and politic 
hereby created; provided, that nothing contained herein shall be con- 
strued to extend the operation of any law which provides for the extin- 
guishing of claims or contracts by limitations of time. 

Sec. 4. That said corporation shall have a constitution, and shall have 
power to amend the same at pleasure; provided, that such constitution or 
amendments thereof do not conflict with the laws of the United States or 
of any state. 

Sec. 5. That said corporation shall not engage in any business for gain ; 
the purposes of said corporation being fraternal and benevolent. 

Sec. 6. That Congress may at any time amend, alter or repeal this Act. 

Charles F. Crisp, 
Speaker of the House of Representatives. 

Approved, June 29, 1894. A. E. Stevenson, 

Geover Cleveland. President of the Senate. 



(127) 



128 INDEX TO 



INDEX TO SUPREME STATUTES. 



[The figures indicate sections."] 



Accident insurance — 

Name of order not to be used in connection with 420 

Adjutant General — 

Books and accounts to be examined 5 

Member of Supreme Council 361 

Duties and compensation 366, 367, 379 

Admission by initiation — 

Eligibility for 239, 240, 241, 242 

Form of application for 243, 244 

Disposition of application for 245 

Ballot on application for 246, 247, 255 

Objection to, after election 248 

Ballot on application for, not to be reconsidered 249 

Fee of rejected applicant for, must be returned 250 

Application for, may be withdrawn, when 251 

Discussion concerning applicant for 251 

Fee for, must be paid in advance 251 

Fee for, not to be refunded 251 

Application for, not to be ballotted on when received 255 

Amount of fee for 323, 346, 348 

Aid, appeals for — 

Regulations concerning 455, 456, 457, 458 

Anniversary of the order — 

Date of 443 

Appeals for aid — 

Regulations concerning 455, 456, 457, 458 

Appropriations from the Supreme Lodge exchequer — 

Duties of Committee on Finance as to 5 

Arrears — 

What constitutes 259, 261 

Suspension on account of 262 

Assessments — 

Subordinate lodge may levy 261 

Member suspended for non-payment, not to pay dues 263 

Ballot on application — 

Regulations concerning 246, 247 

When objection is made after election 248 

Not to be reconsidered or renewed 249 

Result of, must not be discussed 251 

Not to be taken when application is received 255 



SUPREME STATUTES. 129 

Banner of the order — 

Description 459, 460 

Bar-tender — 

Penalty for becoming > 411, 412 

Benefit, funeral — 

Subordinate lodge must pay 303 

Subordinate lodge may control excess over twenty dollars 304, 305 

Must be paid in case of suicide 306 

Board of Control — 

Jurisdiction of 355 

Authority of President 356 

Duties of President 357 

Composition of ; 358 

To be notified of suspensions and expulsions 308 

Brigadier General, Uniform Eank — 

Member of Supreme Council 361 

Business or trade — 

Name of the order not to be used in 421 

Ceremonies, previous — 

Continued in force 461 

Chancellor Commander — 

Serving part of term, becomes Past Chancellor, when 238- 

Duties concerning ballot on candidate 247 

May call Knignt to the chair to confer ranks 256- 

Presiding officer in absence of 307 

Duties as to rituals 391, 392' 

Duties as to semi-annual password 397, 398, 40Q) 

Charter of subordinate lodge — 

Optional with Grand Lodge to grant 314 

Form of 314 

Validit7v of former 314 

Issue of, vacates warrant 315 

Duplicate 316 

Must be displayed 317 

Conditions as to surrender 318 

Suspension or revocation of 320 

Restoration of 321, 322 

Civil courts — 

Members must not resort to 309 

Committees of Supreme Lodge — 

List of 1 

Membership on, termination of - 19, 20 

May hold meetings when '.21 

May send for persons and papers 22 

Mileage and per diem of 87, 5, 6 

Committee on Credentials — 

Appointment 1 

Duties Q. 

Committee on Endowment Rank — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 16 



130 INDEX TO 

Committee on Finance — 

Appointment .1 

Duties 5 

Committee on Grievances — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 4 

Committee on Judiciary — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 2 

Committee on Mileage and Per Diem — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 8 

Committee on Printing — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 12, 120, 121 

Committee on Reports — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 7 

Committee on Review — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 15 

Committee on Rules — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 14 

Committee on State of the Order — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 9 

Oommittee on Uniform Rank — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 17 

Committee on Unwritten Work — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 11 

Committee on Warrants and Charters — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 13 

Committee on Ways and Means — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 3 

Committee on Written Work — 

Appointment 1 

Duties 10 

Compensation — 

Of Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal 42 

Of Supreme Master of Exchequer 48 

Of Supreme Tribunes 89 

Of Recorder of Supreme Tribunal 89 

Of Major General 362 



SUPREME STATUTES. 131 

■Consolidation — 

Of subordinate lodges 319, 337 

Constitution, Supreme — 

Publication of 462 

Courts, ci-sdl — 

Members must not resort to 309 

Credentials of rank or honor — 

Regulations concerning 452 

Deputy Grand Chancellor — 

Appointment and duties 204 

Accountable to Grand Chancellor 205 

May not delegate power — exception 206 

Expiration of term 207 

Duty as to semi-annual password 396 

Deputy Supreme Chancellor — 

Appointment 92 

Commission 93 

Shall not delegate powers 94 

To be known as District Deputy Supreme Chancellor, when 95 

May nominate installing officers 96 

Must file certificate 97 

Duty as to reports and per capita tax 343 

Duty as to rituals 390 

Duty as to semi-annual password 395 

Diploma of rank or honor — 

For Knight 446 

For Past Chancellor 447 

For Past Grand Representative 448 

For Past Grand Chancellor and Past Supreme Representative 449 

For Past Supreme Chancellor 450 

May be revoked 451 

Forms to be furnished by S. K. R. S 453, 454 

Dispensations to subordinate lodge — 

Supreme Chancellor may grant 91 

Disrepute, house of notorious — 

Member wearing uniform or jewel forbidden to enter 423 

Dues — 

Power of subordinate lodge to control 257 

Commencement and rates 258 

Of member taking transfer card or withdrawal card 258 

When a member is in arrears for 259 

May be collected in advance — limitations 259 

Must be promptly collected 260 

Suspension for non-payment 262 

Suspended member shall not be charged with 263, 296, 298 

Election — 

Of Supreme Lodge officers 125 

Of subordinate lodge officers 233, 234, 235, 236 

Emblems of the order — 

Inhibition of use of 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 424 



132 INDEX TO 

Endowment Rank {see also "Board of ControV) — 

Payment for printing for 359 

Esquire — 

Must pay dues 258 

Expulsions — 

To be reported to Board of Control 308 

Fee for ranks of knighthood — 

Must accompany application 244, 254 

Must be returned to rejected applicant 250 

No portion to be refunded, donated or returned 254 

Amount of 323, 346, 348 

Fines— 

Subordinate lodge may impose 261 

Member suspended for non-payment, not to pay dues 263 

Fiscal year — 

Defined 445 

Forms, blank — 

Application for ranks of knighthood 243, 244 

Charter for Grand Lodge 183 

Charter for subordinate lodge 314 

Grand Lodge card 288 

Order for semi-annual password 398 

Past Grand Chancellors' certificates 200, 201 

Permission to apply for reinstatement 302 

Petition for warrant for subordinate lodge 311, 331 

Supreme Lodge card ♦ 289 

Supreme Representatives' credentials 219, 220 

Transfer card 270 

Warrant for Grand Lodge 182 

Warrant for subordinate lodge 312, 332 

Withdrawal card 287 

Forms, previous — 

Continued in force. 461 

Funds, expenditure of — 

Supreme Lodge 5, 123, 124 

Grand Lodge - 208 

Subordinate lodge 328, 329, 330, 352, 353, 354 

Funeral benefit — 

Subordinate lodge must pay 303 

Subordinate lodge may control excess over twenty dollars 304, 305 

Must be paid in case of suicide 306 

Gambler, professional — 

Penalty for becoming 411^ 412 

Gaming house — 

Member wearing uniform or jewel forbidden to enter 423 

Gift enterprise — 

Name of the order not to be used in connection with 419 



SUPREME STATUTES. 133 

Good standing — 

In subordinate lodge 265 

In Grand Lodge : 266 

In the Supreme Lodge 267 

Grand Chancellor — 

May grant or refuse warrant for subordinate lodge 312 

Duty as to semi-annual password 395 

Grand Keeper of Records and Seal — 

Responsibility for rituals 386, 387, 389 

Grand Lodge — 

Institution of 179, 180, 181 

Form of warrant ■. 182 

Petition for charter 183 

Form of cjiarter ' 183 

Warrant becomes hivalid, when 184 

Duplicate warrant or charter 185 

Warrant or charter must be displayed 186 

Pythian domain of 187 

Must issue charters to subordinates , 188 

Renumbering of subordinates 189 

Necessary number of constituent subordinates 190 

Must hold annual convention 191 

Constitution of new 192, 193, 194 

Annual reports 195, 197 

Disposition of funds 208 

May grant or refuse charter to subordinate lodge 314 

Orand Lodge and officers — 

Offences and penalties 429 to 440 

Grand Lodge card — 

Application for and issuance of 278, 279 

Issuance of, severs membership 282 

Offences committed by holder of 283 

Admission to membership by means, of , 284 

Duplicate 285 

Not to be issued to member under charges 286 

Form of • 288 

Valid until revoked, annulled or deposited 290 

To be furnished only by S. K. R. S 291 

May be revoked, annulled or deposited 292 

Fee for admission by 325, 347, 350 

Honor, credential of — 

Regulations concerning 452 

Impeachment — 

Of Supreme Chancellor 57 to 72 

Of Supreme Tribune 57 to 73 

Installation — 

Of Supreme Lodge officers 126 

Of subordinate lodge officers 237 

Institution — 

Of Grand Lodge 179, 180, 181 

Of subordinate lodge 221 to 231 



134 INDEX TO 

Jewels — 

How procured 110 

Supreme Lodge Ill 

Grand Lodge 1 12 

Grand Representatives' and Past Grand Representatives' 113 

Subordinate lodge 114 

May be of any degree of fineness 115 

Must be authenticated ' 116 

What shall be worn 117 

May be worn in public, when. 118 

Juris_diction, territorial — 

Of subordinate lodge 241 

Keeper of Records and Seal — 

Must notify Board of Control of suspensions and expulsions 308 

Life insurance — 

Name of the order not to be used in connection with 420 

Liquors, retail dealer in — 

Penalty for becoming 411, 412 

Lottery — 

Name of the order not to be used in connection with 419 

Major General — 

Books and accounts to be examined 5 

Member and presiding officer of Supreme Council 301, 362 

Must be Past Grand Chancellor 362 

Nomination, ratitication, commission, compensation 362 

Powers and duties 372 to 380 

Memorial Day — 

Prescribed 444 

Mileage and per diem — 

Not to be paid until adoption of report of committee 8 

Rate of 87 

Supreme Council to be paid 88 

Members and Recorder of Supreme Tribunal to be paid 89 

Double, not to be paid 90 

Of Supreme Council of Uniform Rank 368 

Name of subordinate lodge — 

Must not be that of a living person 313, 333 

Name of the order — 

Inhibition of use of 418, 419, 420, 421, 422, 424 

Objection to initiation or advancement — 

Method of disposing of 248 

Offences — 

What are 405 to 440 

By Grand Lodges and officers 429 to 440 

Officers of Supreme Lodge — 

Election 125 

Installation 1 2ti 



SUPREME STATUTES. 135 

Officers, subordinate lodge — 

Eligibility 233 

Nominations 234 

To be elected by ballot 235 ^ 

Grand Lodge may regulate elections 236 * 

Installation 237 

Vacancies 238 

Serving part of term 238 

Official Eecord of Proceedings of Supreme Lodge — 

To whom to be transmitted gratis 39 

Page— 

Must pay dues 258 

Paraphernalia — 

Signification of the term 104 

Prohibition as to purchase 105 

Dealers in, must obtain certificate 106 

Penalties for procuring illegally 107, 108 

Subordinate lodge may manufacture 109 

Password, semi-annual — 

( See ' ' semi-annual password.") 

Past Grand Chancellors' certificates — 

Time of fihng 198 

Forms of 200, 201, 202 

To be issued by S. K. E. S 203 

Per capita tax — 

Of lodges not within domain of Grand Lodge 28, 339, 340 

Period, Pythian — 

Commences when .441 

Use of the term 442 

Petition for ranks of knighthood — 

May be presented to what lodge 241, 242 

Form 243 

Signature and endorsement - 244 

Fee must accompany . .244 

Physician's certificate to accompany, when - 244 

Eelerence to, and report of, committee 245 

Ballot on .246, 247, 255 

Ballot on, not to be reconsidered 249 

May be withdrawn, when 251 

Presiding officer of subordinate lodge — 

In absence of C. C. or V. C, or both 307 

Printing for Endowment Eank — 

To be paid for by Board of Control 359 

Printing for Supreme Lodge — 

What shall be done by contract 119 

Advertisements for bids 120, 121 

Circulars, orders, etc ^ 1 22 

Pythian Period — 

Commences when 441 

Use of the term 442 



136 INDEX TO 

Qualifications of applicant for ranks — 

Enumeration of 240 

Raffle — 

Name of the order not to be used in connection with 419 

Rank, credential of — 

Regulations concerning 452 

Ranks of knighthood — 

Eligibility for 239, 240, 241, 242 

Form of application for 243, 244 

Disposition of application for 245 

Ballot on application for 246, 247, 255 

Objection to conferring 248 

Ballot on applicant for, not to be reconsidered 249 

Fee of rejected applicant for, must be returned 250 

Application for, may be withdrawn, when 251 

Discussion concerning applicant for 251 

May be conferred by another lodge, when 252 

Time between each of 253 

Fee for, must be paid in advance 254 

Fee for, not to be refunded 254 

Application for, not to be ballotted on when received 255 

May be conferred by a team 256 

Amount of fee for 323, 346, 348 

Record, Official, of Supreme Lodge — 

To whom to be transmitted gratis 39 

Reinstatement — 

Of member suspended for arrearages 293, 294, 295 

Of member suspended "for cause" 300, 301, 302 

Fee for 326, 351 

Reports, semi-annual — 

Of subordinate lodges 341 

Residence of applicant for ranks — 

Prescriptions as to 241 , 242 

Revenue of Supreme Government — 

Derived from 26 

Revenue, raising of — 

Committee on Ways and Means to report on 3 

Rituals — 

To be printed and published under control of S. K. R. S 381 

Penalty for copying 382 

To be printed only in English 383 

Of the Supreme Lodge 384 

Of ' rrand Lodges — how issued 385 

Of Grand Lodges — custody 386 

G. K. R. S. must give receipt for. 387 

Of subordinate lodges — how issued 388, 389, 390 

Of subordinate lodges — custody 391 

Must not be taken from lodge room 392 

Rules of order, previous — 

Continued in force 461 



SUPREME STATUTES. 137 

Saloon — 

Name, emblems, etc., not to be used or displayed in 422 

Member wearing uniform or jewel forbidden to enter 4:23 

Saloon-keeper — 

Penalty for becoming 411, 412 

Seal— 

Of Supreme Lodge 98 

Of Supreme Chancellor 99 

Of Supreme Tribunal 100 

Of Grand Lodge 101 

Of Grand Chancellor 102 

Of subordinate lodge 103 

Semi-annual password — 

Selection of 393 

Promulgation of 394, 395, 396 

Communication of, to members 397 

Form of order for 398 

Order for, not to be issued, when 399 

How communicated on order 400 

Supreme Chancellor may communicate to member 401 

Limitations as to use 402 

Supreme Chancellor may abrogate and annul 403 

Certain Grand and Supreme Lodge officers may receive 404 

Special convention of Supreme Lodge — 

Supreme Chancellor to call, when 25 

Spirits, wines, etc. — 

Prohibition as to use of 425 

Statutes, Supreme — 

Publication of 462 

Take effect when 463 

Subordinate lodges in general — 

Directions for instituting 221 to 231 

Officers ■ 232 to 238 

Attainment of ranks in 239 to 256 

May confer rank on member of another lodge, when 252 

May regulate dues, assessments and fines 257 

May require different rates of dues 258 

May collect dues in advance — limitations 259 

Must provide for prompt collection of dues 260 

May impose fines and assessments 261 

Good standing in 265 

Must pay funeral benefit 303 

Subordinate lodges not within domain of Grand Lodge — 

Per capita tax of 28 

Fee for warrant to institute 29 

Form of petition for warrant to institute 331 

Optional with Supreme Chancellor to grant warrant for 332 

Form of warrant for 332 

Must not be named for living person 333 

Duplicate warrant 334 

May not surrender warrant, when 335 

Eestoration of warrant or charter 336 

-Oonsolidation of 337 



138 INDEX TO 

Subordinate lodges not within domain of Grand Lodge (continued) — 

Under immediate control of Supreme Lodge 338 

Per capita tax of 339, 340 

Semi-annual reports of 341 

Penalties for failure to forward report and tax 342 

Duty of D. S. C. as to report and per capita tax . 343 

Penalty for failure to hold regular conventions 344 

Approval of laws of 345 

Fee for ranks in 346, 348 

Fee for deposit of withdrawal card, etc., in 347, 350 

Fee for deposit of transfer card in 349 

Fee for reinstatement in 351 

Disposition of funds 352, 353, 354 

Subordinate lodges within domain of Grand Lodge — 

Form of petition for warrant to institute 311 

Optional with Grand Chancellor to grant warrant for 312 

Form of warrant for 312 

Must not be named for living person 313 

Optional with Grand Lodge to grant charter to 314 

Form of charter for 314 

Issue of charter vacates warrant 315 

Duplicate warrant or charter 316 

Must display warrant or charter 317 

May not surrender warrant or charter, when 318 

Consolidation of 319 

Suspension or revocation of warrant or charter 320 

Restoration of warrant or charter 321, 322 

Fee for ranks in 323 

Fee for deposit of transfer card in 324 

Fee for deposit of withdrawal card, etc., in 325 

Fee for reinstatement in 326 

Privileges as to fees 327 

Disposition of funds 328, 329, 330 

Suicide — 

Does not release lodge from paying funeral benefit. 306 

Sunday — 

Meeting, excursion, ball, concert, etc., forbidden 424 

Supplies — 

To be obtained only from S. K. R. S., list of 31 

Penalties for obtaining illegallv 32, 33, 34, 35, 36 

Prices to be fixed by S. K. R. S 37 

Supreme Chancellor — 

Must appoint standing committees 1 

Must appoint special committees, when 18 

Must assemble Supreme Council, when 23 

Must call special convention of Supreme Lodge, when 25 

Vacancy in office of 50, 54, 55, 56 

Impeachment of 57 to 72 

May grant dispensations to subordinate lodge 91 

Duties as to examination of constitutions and laws 192, 193, 345 

May grant or refuse warrant for subordinate lodge 332 

Member of Board of Control 358 

Member of Supreme Council of Uniform Rank 363 

Shall select and promulgate semi-annual password 393, 394 



SUPREME STATUTES. 139 

Supreme Chancellor (continued) — 

May invest member with semi-annual password 401 

May abrogate and annul semi-annual password 403 

Cognizance of offences 426, 427 

Supreme Council, assembly of officers in — 

To be convened, when 23, 54 

Time, place, quorum, secretary 24, 54 

Shall elect S. C. and S. Y. C, when 54, 55 

Supreme Council of Uniform Rank — 

Time and place of meetings 360 

Composition of 361 

Presiding officer of 362 

Supreme Chancellor member of 363 

Who entitled to admission to 363 

Powers of 364 

May provide revenue and control supplies .365 

Clerical and financial officer of 366 

Recorder of 367 

Mileage and per diem of members of 368 

Supreme Keeper of Records and Seal — 

Books and accounts to be examined quarterly 5 

Member ex officio of Committee on Printing 12 

Secretary ex officio of Supreme Council 24 

Shall fix prices of supplies .... 37 

Bond of 38 

Duties of 39, 40, 41 

Compensation of - 42 

Shall assemble Supreme Lodge officers, when 54 

Shall install officers, when 56 

Control of rituals 381, 382, 384 

Supreme Lodge — 

To be called in special convention, when 25 

Supreme Lodge card — 

Application for and issuance of 280 

Issuance of, severs membership 282 

Offences committed by holder of 283 

Admission to membership by means of 284 

Duplicate '. 285 

Not to be issued to member under charges 286 

Form of 289 

Valid until revoked, annulled or deposited 290 

To be furnished only by S. K. R. S.^ 291 

May be revoked, annulled or deposited 292 

Fee for admission by 325, 347, 350 

Supreme Lodge officers — 

Election of 125 

Installation of 126 

Trial and removal from office 74 to 86 

Supreme Master of Exchequer — 

Books and accounts to be examined quarterly 5 

Bond of 43 

Duties of -. 44, 45, 46, 47 

Compensation of 48 



140 INDEX TO 

Supreme Eepresentatives — 

At large, election of 209 

Of new Grand Lodge 210 

Additional 211, 212, 213, 214, 215, 216 

Vacancy 217 

One additional, for each ten thousand membei's 218 

Terms of half to expire simultaneously 218 

Not more than five from one Grand Lodge 211, 218 

Form of credentials ' 219, 220 

Supreme Representatives' credentials — 

Time of filing 198 

Forms of 219, 220 

Supreme Representative tax — 

Annual amount of 27 

Time of payment 196 

Penalty for non-payment 197 

Supreme Tribunal — 

Compensation of members of 89 

Composition, quorum, qualifications, commission 127 

Chief Tribune 127, 129 

Associate Tribunes, precedence of 128 

Obligation 130 

Recorder and Marshal 131, 132 

Reporter 133, 134 

Compilation and publication of decisions 134 

Term, nomination, confirmation 135, 136 

Vacancy 137 

Sittings 1 38, 139, 140 

Enforcement of judgments and decrees 141 to 151 

Appellate jurisdiction 152 to 169 

Original and exclusive jurisdiction 170 to 178 

Penalties for disobedience to 414, 415 

Supreme Tribune — 

Impeachment of - 57 to 73 

Supreme Vice Chancellor — 

Special duties of 49 

To assume duties of Supreme Chancellor, when 50, 68, 72 

Supreme Chancellor ad interim 51 

Supreme Chancellor pro tempore 62 

Must appoint Supreme Vice Chancellor, when 53 

Vacancy in oflQce of 54, 55, 56 

Member of Board of Control 358 

Suspended member — 

Not to be charged with dues 263, 296, 298 

Offences committed by 264, 299 

Has no claim on the order 298 

Suspension "for cause" — 

May be definite or indefinite 297 

Reinstatement of member under 300, 301, 302 

Suspension for non-payment of dues, etc. — 

Regulations concerning 262, 263 

Reinstatement of member under 293, 294, 295 



SUPREME STATUTES. 141 

Suspensions — 

To be reported to Board of Control 308 

T^eam for rank work — 

May confer ranks, when 256 

Trade mark — 

Name, etc., of the order not to be used as 421 

Transfer card — 

Dues to be collected from holder 258 

Application for 268 

Issue of 269 

Form of 270 

Transfer of membership b}^ means of 271, 272 

Eights of holder 273 

Fee for 274 

How supplied 275 

Fee for admission by 324, 349 

Trial— 

Of Supreme Lodge officer 74 to 86 

Uniform Eank {see also ^'Supreme Council" and "Major General) — 

Legislation for 364 

Eevenue and supplies 365, 371 

Member of, must be member of lodge 369 

Warrant for subordinate lodge — 

Fee for 29 

Eequisites as to petition for 311, 331 

Form of 312, 332 

Vacated by issue of charter '. 315 

Duplicate 316, 334 

Must be displayed < 317 

Conditions as to surrender 318, 335 

Suspension or revocation of 320 

Eestoration of 321, 336 

Wines, liquors, etc. — 

Prohibition as to use of 425 

Withdrawal card — 

Dues to be collected from holder 258 

Application for 276 

Issue of 277 

Issuance of, severs membership 282 

OflFenees committed by holder of 283 

Admission to membership by means of 284 

Duplicate 285 

Not to be issued to member under charges 286 

Form of 287 

Valid until revoked, annulled or deposited 290 

To be furnished only by S. K. E. S 291 

May be revoked, annulled or deposited 292 

Fee for admission by 325, 347, 350 



H 221 85 



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HECKMAN 

J^|DERY INC. 

^ MAY 85 














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